Ever See a Roper Bighorn Recurve?

[TimberlineX]

Years ago, while I was  living in California, an older gentleman walked into the archery shop I was managing with a recurve bow he wanted to trade in for a brand new compound bow. Because his trade-in was so interesting, I bought his bow from him on the spot.

That bow was a Roper Bighorn, and its main feature was a wildly radical dogleg design.

 

 

I’ve seen photos of one other like it over the years, and even the owner of that Roper didn’t know a thing about it.

Have you ever seen a Roper Bighorn? If so, where and what might you know about WHERE  it was made, WHEN it was made, WHO made it and especially WHY  it was designed the way it was? This distinctive recurve has long been a mystery to me.

I’m hoping someone can shed some light on it.

Bill Krenz
Colorado

 

 

[Cody Roiter]

Bill, I don't know any info on the bow.. But that is one cool looking bow

Have you ever shot it ?..

Best,

Cody

[Earl E. Nov...mber]

I wonder if there is a connection with the old Roper broadheads? Approximately the same time frame, and both west coast.

[Grant Young]

A bit of a high wrist, wouldn't you say Bill? I hate to admit it, but I never even had a dream with something like that in it. Howzit shoot? Grant

[Wade Phillips]

Bill,

Lowell W. Roper from California made the bow... Same Lowell Roper who was the NFAA National Champion 1956 BH.

Same Lowell Roper who made the Roper's Indian Arrowhead.

I've seen a couple others over the years. I may have a photograph of one of them...

Lowell Roper applied for a patent for a bow in 1955 and was granted a patent for it in 1958. This design was a little less radical then yours...

 

[Wade Phillips]

Bill,

To see Lowell Roper's unique designed broadhead, the Ropers Indian Arrowhead, check page R-4 in "Broadheads 1871-1971" which states in part...

"..When Hugh Rich received the cast aluminum samples, he thought Lowell was playing one of his usual practical jokes..."

Hugh told me that Lowell was quite a prankster...

 

[mwmwmb]

That was made for Salvador Dali.  

[Wade Phillips]

Bill,

This is the Roper bow that Joe had in the St. Charles Collection. It is now in the Pope & Young Club/St. Charles Museum. It is laminated a little different than yours.

The curved 2-color hair on strike plate looks like the same shape as your strike plate.

 

[TimberlineX]

Wade,

Great photo of another Roper Bighorn! Thanks. It figures that Glen and Joe would know about this bow.

I wonder how many bows Roper actually made?

Bill

[Wade Phillips]

Bill,

If we could record the serial numbers from a half dozen or so, they may give us an indication of how many were made. Your number C-1044 tells us something if we can figure it out. I don't know, but the 1044 may mean the 44th bow made if he started at #1000. We'd would need to find more numbers to see if a pattern could be established.

I don't think I have ever seen a brochure on the Roper Bighorn. Might be best to thumb through the 1955 to 1958 "Archery" magazines to try to find some additional information. The ads may state something about how many are being used at a particular point in time...

[skpnrok]

Hi,

I'm doing research on bows hanging from the rafters at our clubhouse.  One of them is a Roper Big Horn.  No pictures, but it is #1049, 42lb. 64" bow.  Doesn't have the green layer, just clear.  We also have an arrow with a Roper broadhead on it.

Best,
Paul

[BOWMARKS]

I just purchased a lefty of this make on the classified's serial #113~7.
 64"--#50@28".

Does anyone have any information on this odd bow????
Mine needs a little work so it's being sent to the BowHostpital for a clean up.

Would like any info possable big or small.

Thanks Mark

[Wade Phillips]

Mark,

Interesting specs on your bow, #113~7, 64", #50@28". Can you post a photograph of it?

The Roper Bighorn was made by Lowell W. Roper, a well known California bowmen who manufactured a few very unusual archery items in during the 1950s. Roper was the 1956 NFAA National Champion in the Broadhead Head Round.

I never knew Roper, but talked with old bowmen who did know him and by all accounts he was a character. Apparently, no one was ever certain when he was serious.

Roper applied for a patent for a bow in 1955 and in 1958 was granted a patent for it. His Roper's Indian Arrowhead was also patented. It is an unusual fluted design broadhead that was commercially produced and is well documented in patented illustrations, advertisements and the most comprehensive books on the subject.

[nineworlds9]

Here's the bow I sold to Mark.   I measured it as 64" AMO as the length is not marked on it.  

 I was going to have it restored cause I know its a bit of a barn find, but I need to count my $ a little more lately so needed to let it go rather than have it collect more dust.  This baby deserves to hunt!  

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

[Wade Phillips]

nineworlds9 -

Thanks so much for posting the photographs of the Roper's Bighorn.

Cool bow.

The grip looks a little different than others I have seen as yours has two sections with narrow multi-lam sections that really add to the appearance.

[Horney Toad]

Mark, Have you shot that bow?

[BOWMARKS]

Jeff

No I have not shot as of yet. The bow needed new limb tips and had a small twist in one limb so I sent it to the BowHostpital to get it repaired and a new finish put on it.

I should get it back by March and will let you all know how it shoots .  

[BOWMARKS]

[BOWMARKS]

I will be getting this back from  BowHostpitol there is no string how do I measure bow for string length???
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
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[BOWMARKS]

Well we got this odd ball strung up and shot today. We ended up with a 60" string on her that got the string laying in the string grooves nicely and laying next to another recurve which was a 66" bow it matched right up with that length.
You would think with that quite high wrist grip it has that it would be hard to control but I have to say it fit me very well after I quit using a death grip on it.