Shakespeare Bow Build Date & Tuning

[rfwind]

I recently bought a vintage Shakespeare Wonderbow Necedah Model X 26. The number F62063M is written near the handle. Does anyone know when the bow might have been produced?
  Also, what is the best way to bare shaft tune the bow?
  Thanks

[Dave Worden]

There seems to be no info available on Shakespeare bows.  I've even sent an e-mail to Shakespeare but they didn't respond.  They started making them in about 1968 and quit in 1976, so there you go.  It's about 40-45 years old.

As for bare shaft tuning, I can be of no help.  I don't believe in it.  Why not just tune with arrows you're going to use?  Are you going to hunt with bare shafts or will they be fletched?  JMO.

[reddogge]

Can't help with the date but what kind of arrow are you planning to shoot, wood, aluminum, or carbon?

[Looper]

The bareshafting process is the same, no matter what bow you use.  The only caution is that you need to be reasonably close to the correct spine to start with. And remember that bareshafting is only one way to tune.

Whatever type of shaft and whatever tuning method you choose, I'd advise getting a test kit of fletched shafts and a variety of point weights. You'll be able to easily see which combination flies the best for you. Once you have that shaft/point combo identified, you're then ready to fine tune the flight.

You can then bare shaft tune, broad head tune, or paper tune. Some folks, myself included, just put on a broad head and see how they fly. If you got close with your test shaft, you'll likely only have to fool with the brace height and nock height.

Make sure you don't cut your shafts too short to start with though. Give yourself a couple of inches to work with.

If you have questions about the whole process, feel free to ask, there are a lot of knowledgable people here.

[Big Bird]

they made two models in x 26,55" and 58" the 55" was made in1964 to 67.and the 58" was 1968 to 72 or 73.

[theviennneau]

I tried twice to contact Shakespeare with no luck. I even tried contacting Jeffery Archery, Owen Jeffery used to be the Pres. of Shakespeare. Sent two email with not response.Strange that they are so tight with information. I might try an old fashion letter, maybe that would help.

[rastaman]

Bow tuning click here  

Here's some really good info on bare shaft tuning. I wouldn't attempt it unless you already have your form down fairly well.
Welcome to tradgang!  

[MnFn]

My folks gave me this Shakespeare Wonderbow 40# bow in about 1965. Not a Necedah, but it worked.
 


I use the method as listed by rastaman. Don't know why it wouldn't work for you as well.

[Jim Picarelli]

What color glass is it? I'm pretty sure the X-26 changed to green glass in '73. Here's 2 of my Necadah's...both X-26 models, both 58". The top has green glass and the bottom has the cinnamon glass. You can see how they drastically changed the riser shape. The bottom one is one of my favorite bows

   

[Ray Hammond]

Call TOm Jeffrey at Jeffrey Archery in Columbia SC and he will find out on the bow for you- hisDad Owen was President and bought the factory out when Shakespeare got out of the biz

It might be that Tom is handling everything right now and/or they're out hunting (sc season opens 8/15) not sure but don't give up

[Jack Shanks]

Here's a recent post on the History / Collecting forum.

 http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=14;t=005954

I've owned a number of Shakespeares and probably have three or four right now. Great value in a vintage bow.

[monterey]

I have had two of those, one 40# and one 45#.  Smoother than most bows that short.  Down side is the lack radius on the arrow shelf and plate side of riser.  Nothing that a rasp and a bit of nerve cant fix!