'Also-Ran' or 'Sleeper' bows...

[moththerlode]

Here is a 1963 X15 - 66

It is a enjoyable shooter at 45 lbs and 66"

[Horney Toad]

The Browning Explorer II is one of my favorites!

[murph60]

I have a 45# Kaibab and I'll vouch for it. Its a badass bow .,,, Would LOVE to get my hands on a 40#.

[Gerald Denley]

Here's a 1967 Root Brushmaster, similar to the Kaibab but a bit fancier.

[Gerald Denley]

Here is a better picture of the riser...

[moththerlode]

I like that Peter , on my want list.

[kybowman]

Sweet bow!!
Precursor to the Kaibab maybe?

[Gerald Denley]

Root Archery made all of the bows for Shakespeare and produced a line of their own under their own label, such as the Warrior and the Gamemaster.

The Brushmaster was another such model. It was 58" like the Kaibab. The one pictured was made in 1968. The finish and detail work on the Roots was a little better than the Shakespeare's.

The rarest of those models was the "butcherblock" Gamemaster made only two years.

[Gerald Denley]

Harry Drake lent his name to a 3 piece takedown and was identified as designer of a Browning 'folding" takedown in 1975, but there's no official mention and no verifiable info to suggest he had any earlier role in Browning design . The Wasp was introduced in 1971.

Mark is correct. Jerry Amster and Jack Bice designed Browning's initial bows in late 1962. Jack was chief bowyer for at least another six years. Harry Drake had nothing to do with Browning except for the Backpacker.

[Gerald Denley]

Sweet bow!!
Precursor to the Kaibab maybe?

Here's a closeup pictures of the Brushmaster's riser. It is the same year as the Gamemaster. The work on the risers was elaborate.

[Captain*Kirk]

Man, you guys are showing some gorgeous stuff I've never even seen before! Lovin' it!

[Gerald Denley]

Indian Archery made a lot of bows and gained a reputation of making plain Jane copies of other companies bows that underperformed.

Pictured is an example of an offering from Buddy Watson, Indian's bowyer and designer, that completely refutes that claim.

66" and 50#. It is a fast tack driver that has so many lams in the riser I lost count.

[Gerald Denley]

Just for comparison sake, this is a Monterey model made by Howatt Archery in mid 1961. Compare this to what other companies were making that year. A design well ahead of it's time,  and not just because of the elaborate riser design. It had double tapered limb laminations that thickened towards the tip to control how the recurve unloaded.

A lot of the riser was hand filed as opposed to using a sanding machine.

[kybowman]

I had a Root Warrior at one time but traded it for a higher poundage Kaibab.
I believe the Kaibab outperforms the Root.
I believe Earnie's design is what the Kaibab is based on.
They are one sweet shooting bow!!!
JMHO

[Gerald Denley]

I had a Root Warrior at one time but traded it for a higher poundage Kaibab.
I believe the Kaibab outperforms the Root.
I believe Earnie's design is what the Kaibab is based on.
They are one sweet shooting bow!!!
JMHO

Ernie did design them all. Interestingly, the limb lamination stack on the 1966-67 Necedah is the same as the Kaibab and Ocala.

The limbs on the Warrior are different than the Necedah and the Kaibab.

I have a couple of Kaibab's and find they are similar to the Brushmaster.

[jackdaw]

Ahhh...ditto on the Sanders.! Lets not forget Staghorn...fine bows.! Still in hot pursuit of a Browning Explorer 1..!!!! Early 60s Women Penna State Champ Celia Walter used to say Staghorns shot rings around a Bear alllll day long. The old timers around here felt Bears were "Dept store" bows. Liked the custom  boyers better....

[Gerald Denley]

Here's a very nice Staghorn T-60 Tempest...52#, quick and stable.

[elkslayer4x5]

Got my 67 Sk when they came out, ordered the 64" because I'm wide shouldered and long armed. Drew a 31" arrow back then. Spring of 72, made usual switch to hunting gear for the monthly field round club shoots. While at full draw on a downhill 55 Yd shot of the 2nd 14 targets, the lower limb slowy folded back towards me.
The next Friday evening I was in the Bow Rack in Albany, Ca. learning about Darton Archery. Like Ben Pearson, the company promoted best performance at longer draw lengths. Their top hunting bow was their 60" Fury. And a good looking bow to boot!  After shooting about a dozen arrow on the shops 30 yd range, I bought it. It's has been a great bow, and still is.

 

I like it so well that when I saw a similar shaped riser of a Darton Classic on the bay site, I put it on my watch list. Next day seller sends me 10% savings. I hit bin. Shedula maybe?

[elkslayer4x5]

I'm also quite fond of Damon Howatt bows. The bow he and Larry Hatfield designed were ahead of their time. The Howatt company still make traditional bows. I have a 1974 curved stripe Hi-Speed that I love. While it is 58' bow, I draw it to 30" with no stack I can feel.

[detroitdd]

Might Isuggest a Shakespeare Ocala or Kaibab, they're about as fast as a Groves but can be had forhalf the cost. They're great lookers too. The Telum bows, Nico & Litellis are way more awesome than anything I've ever shot, except the Jack Howard Game Master. Jack Howard, I believe, made the perfect bow.

Shakespeare made some good bows years ago.
And don't forget Wing.