EARLY SHAKESPEARE BOWS: 1959-60 MODEL 100 - MODEL 600

Shakespeare Wonderbows 
1959-60 Models 100-600

by Larry Vienneau

1959 Magazine Ad for a Model 200

I was given a homework assignment by one of the foremost experts in vintage bows, Rick Rappe, Author of Vintage Bows I, II, & III:

My assignment was to write about the early Shakespeare bows and I will try. Teacher, please be kind.

Shakespeare has been producing fishing equipment since the late 1800s. In 1959 Shakespeare acquired Parabow Archery Inc. and began the Shakespeare line of archery equipment. They first produced solid fiberglass longbows and recurves. The style of these bows was simple and they were often the first bow of a youngster. In 1959, along with the Parabow line, Shakespeare introduced the 100 through 400 series of recurves. These were beautifully crafted laminated wood and fiberglass. They had leather-wrapped grips, and if right-handed, had the name of RH-100, 200, 300, etc. If left-handed, they of course were LH-100 and so on. The Model 100 and 200 were top for the line and the Model 300-400 mid-price range. In 1960 Shakespeare added  Model 500-600 as lower-priced ambidextrous bows.  In 1961, the leather grip was dropped, and so was the RH 100.LH100.. designations which were replaced with the X Models and the bows took on a more sleek design, showing the Ernie Root influence.

The RH and LH 100-600 bows were the first composite wood and fiberglass bows made by Shakespeare archery. These bows have been described as hybrid bows. Of course, that is a recent term. They are semi-recurve; fully working recurves but has traits of recurve as well as longbows. The riser is not more vertical than modern recurves, showing less reflex.

My 1959-60 Model LH 100 66inch AMO

Lewis Kent's perfect 1959-60 Model 200 with original feather rest and strike plate

a fine example of a 1959-60 Model RH-300

 

another excellent Model RH 300

Jon Patterson's 1959-60 RH-400

Lewis Kent's beautiful 1959-60 Model RH-400

My 1960 Model 500

My 1960 Model 600

1960 Shakespeare archery catalog

1959-60 Model 100 66inch AMO

1959-60 Model 200 60 inch AMO

1959-60 Model 300 62 inch AMO

1959-60 Model 400 64 inch AMO

1960 Model 500 60 inch AMO

1960 Model 600 56 inch AMO

·         Weights 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, and 65

·         Contoured handle with spiral leather grip (except for Model 100- no leather wrap)

·         Handle of laminated maple, walnut, and beefwood (red Australian hardwood)

·         Glass face is buff, maroon, red, brown, or white depending on model

·         Full working recurve

·         Brace height  7 ½

·         Sight window 7 inch

·         Laminated limb tips

·         Model 100-400 (1959 & 60) were available in RH or LH models

·         Model 500-600 (1960) were ambidextrous models

These were considered a poor man's bow but were competition for the Bear Kodiak and Grizzly.  Their physical appearance is very similar, and both were excellent shooters. However, Bear bows have always held higher value, Shakespeare bows are more desirable now than they have ever been. 

My LH 100 with a new plate and feather rest, Lewis Kent's RH 200 with original rest and plate

 Lewis Kent's RH 200 is nearly perfect. It shows some minor use but the original arrow rest and strike plate is in outstanding condition.  He used him as a model to make a new strike plate for my bow. The new arrow rests available online are much smaller than the original rests. I hope to find a larger feather arrow rest.

The bows that I own are a 1959-60 Shakespeare Wonderbow LH100 50#, a 1960 Wonderbow Model 500 30#, and a 1960 Wonderbow Model 600 45#. My Model 100 was a disaster, but I didn’t pay very much. The bow had two holes drilled through the riser and there were four holes on the back of the bow as well as three small ones on the sight window. Above the arrow rest, there was a small area that had routed out to insert a bristle rest. The finished was crackled and the riser looked as if it was carelessly clamped in a vise. However, the limbs were straight and in excellent condition but the Shakespeare logo was a ghost. There was also an insert for bow fishing or stabilizer added which is not original. I spend a lot of time giving the bow new life and I actually don’t mind the battle scars, it gives the bow character. The bow is extremely smooth to draw. I like the deeply carved string grooves which make it easier to string. When I shot the bow, I was shocked but its performance. OK -no lie; my first shot was at a half-dollar-sized target from thirty-five yards, drilled it dead center!!! The remainder of the afternoon was not always as perfect, but it was always my fault and not the bows. The bow is deceivingly powerful. The draw is so smooth that it felt like I was pulling a lighter bow and my aim was high because I perceived that the cast would be weaker. Toward the end of the day, my arrows were right on target. I also tested this bow on a chronograph and its speed was 182.25 FPS, faster than many newer bows. I would love to test this bow against the Bear Kodiak of the same era. This is a great shooting bow, with light handling, smooth to draw, and an excellent addition to my collection. I also own a Model 600 which I shoot left-handed. It has red glass on the back and white glass on the belly. This bow isn't actually a recurve it looks more like a longbow because the limbs don't actually push forward. My Model 600 is a 45 lbs bow and shoots very well. The arrow speed for this bow is slightly over 170 FPS. My #30 Model 500 is very similar to the #45 Model 600 except it is longer and it has maroon and white glass. Both of these bows are more reminiscent of a modern reflexed longbow than a recurve.

UPDATE 2/18/23

Not long after writing this post, my Model 100 suffered a limb failure in 2014. I loved that bow! it was one of the finest shooters. I spent the next 9 years looking for this rare bow, especially rare in the left hand. I found a beautiful 55# LH 100 on auction and added it to my collection. like my first Model 100 this bow is incredibly consistent. Welcome to the collection!!

my "new" 1961 Shakespeare Model 100 LH 55#.

© Copyright, Larry Vienneau Jr.

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