My name is Lawrence (Larry) Root and I am the son of Ernie and Marcy Root, the founders, owners and operators of Root Archery and several other related corporations. I am the last surviving member of the Root family and, at age 65, would like to contribute to the knowledge-base for my family's businesses. I have seen many posts on this forum asking questions about Root Archery. I would be happy to fill in whatever blanks that I can. Unfortunately, there are very few surviving records, such as yearly production, serial- number ranges, when production went fully to Shakespeare, etc. I do have some records I can access as well as one surviving employee I keep in touch with who was also a member of the Root Archery team.

Root Archery started in my family's basement in suburban Chicago. After outgrowing a couple of small buildings in the area my parent's decided to move out of the city, eventually settling in Big Rapids, MI where I still live. I did not pursue archery for many reasons. Dad tried to teach me to shoot, but since it was so natural to him (he was a champion-level tournament archer) he really couldn't teach me how to shoot. Our practice sessions ended when I was quite young. I studied business in college, the assumption being that I would eventually take over the business. I actually began working in the business at age 14, working in the factory starting at age 16 (which was legal as it was a family business). The business was sold to Shakespeare in 1969 and moved to Shakespeare's Columbia, SC facility approximately three years later.

The selling of the business was a well-disguised blessing. Root Archery was Ernie Root and he it. It's successful operation depended on him and his knowledge base, both in the design and manufacturing arena as well as on the marketing side. Shakespeare found this out when they moved the operation to SC against the advise of Dad and several key people at Shakespeare. Dad had a five-year management contract as part of the sale of the business, but insisted that it contain a term that he need not be forced to perform his duties out of the State of Michigan. He refused to move to SC, so Shakespeare was left to operate the business without Dad's expertise or assistance. It didn't go well...

I finished my business degree and stayed on with Shakespeare until the move. I left the company when my duties regarding assisting with the move were complete. It was tough going into Dad's office to tell him I was done with my work.

I chose to go to law school and in 1976 was elected, at age 28, to serve as the Circuit Judge in my home area of Michigan. I served on the bench for nearly three decades, retiring from the bench in 2005. I now run a law practice limited to alternative dispute resolution services such as serving as an arbitrator or mediator.

I would be happy to share my knowledge of Root Archery by replies on this forum or, within reason, via e-mail ([email protected]). It pleases me no end to read that Root Bows are still well thought of by many.

Hi Larry and I'm just thrilled you are on here. I'm a little older than you but I did buy a Root Gamemaster used around 1970. It was sold to me by Joe Thompson in Owings Mills, MD who was a Root dealer. I believe it was a '66 model with the butcher block riser. I don't know what happened to it but it dissappeard during the years. I managed to purchase another '66 in the same 50# weight and sold that to my young friend and neighbor who just loves it. He was over here yesterday shooting it with me and just a quiet, great shooting bow. I'll post a few pictures of his bow. Once again, welcome.

One question. This bow has brown glass and satin finish. My other '66 had green glass and shiney finish. Was the brown and satin an option?

Thank you for your post!

Offhand I can't answer your question regarding the fiberglass color. It could be as random as simply what we had in stock. Fiberglass was sometimes hard to keep in stock. Dad and Fred Bear were friendly competitors and would share fiberglass inventories whenever one would run short. I know this as I made several such trips to Grayling to get glass.

When I get a chance I'll see if I can find the few old brochures to see if they offer a different answer.

Larry

Thank you Mr Root. You must be extremely proud to have a father who made such a positive mark on our sport. I do know only one man who ever met your dad, and he told me that he was about as down to earth and approachable as anyone he had ever met. He shot tournamnts with him regularly and really enjoyed his company. ps: This particular fellow still primarily shoots his Gamemaster over all others he owns.

Larry,

One thing us collectors can always use are old catalogs from the various years. If you happened to have a few old catalogs, and make high-resolution pdfs or jpegs, and make them available somewhere, that would be gold! You could put them in Photobucket and then post them here... I or someone else could help you in that regard, if needed.

Very cool about the glass-sharing between Root and Bear - now, whenever we see variations in Bear or Root bows, we can wonder if we are looking at a Bear bow sporting Root glass, or visa-verse. Very interesting history... thanks.

It is such a treat to have you join this forum and help educate us about the history of Root bows and your Dad's company. I recently traded for the Root Target Master pictured and am delighted to have it. It's in very good shape except for the finish, so I've been trying to learn all I can in order to restore it to it's original condition.

As previously mentioned, any catalogs or other info that could be supplied in a digital format and shared would be terrific. Thanks for any help you can provide. This bow deserves to live another fifty years......at least.

Thank you so much Judge.

My first question is that the 1969 date is confusing. It suggests Shakespeare Wonderbows did not appear until then.

Could it be that 1969 was the year ending your father's 5 year commitment and so "completed" the sale? That would make sense.

Rick

Welcome to the Wall Sir.

Got this Root a while back for a nephew.

Growing up in Colorado back in the 60's, my archery mentor always talked about what great bows the Roots were. So I've always wanted one but haven't latched onto one yet. Hope to, though!

Thanks for the info about your dad and the Root story. Rest assured, he and his bows are extremely well thought of.

Thank you, sir for your family history. I own an original Root Gamemaster, as well as a Root "Field Master" longbow. Yes, longbow... She's a real shooter at 64inches and 51 pounds. But, like most old girls, she's lost a bit of her shine and I had her "refinished" to brng out her spark. A real beaut. Not the fastest bow, but smooth with classic lines. Several friends have offered to buy her off of me, but I'm old fashioned. Think I'll hang onto the ol' girl... Shoot Straight, rare breed

Thanks for posting and sharing your knowledge Mr. Root. I'm a proud owner of two Root bows (Bush Master & Brush Master), and I'm always on the lookout for more.

Thanks much. I killed my first deer with a Root purchased through Warrior Archery in Milwaukee, WI.

Bowmania

Larry, first of all let me say thank you, for joining us on this forum. Several years ago when I was looking for a bow for my wife I stumbled on to a root RangeMaster, it must be from the sixties but still shoots like a dream and she loves it. Anyway I would like to hear more about your dad, when was he active in target archery, was it target or field, or both. Did he hunt in Michigan, or anywhere else, etc...

According to the Gordon Composite/Plastics history, Gordon provided laminates for Root, Bear , Wing and Ben Pearson Archery back in the late 60's early 70's.

Larry,

I want to thank you for coming on this forum. My grandfather was a Root dealer back in the 60s, and I still have four Root bows that see periodic to regular use. I know my grandfather still had stacks of old catalogs and such, but they were tossed out after he died and my grandparents' house was sold. Anyway, thanks again.

I have aquired 6 Root bows, all lefty's, I have no idea when any of these bows were made, but all are in good shape and have many years left in them.They all seem indestructable.

68" Pendulus Supreme 32#'s "beautiful target bow" 66" Range Master 40#'s 60" Warrior 45#'s "Redwing Hunter look a like" 62" Target Master 25#'s 66" range Master 50#'s 66" Field Master 43#'s

I bought a root recueve for my daughter when she was very young, as it was 25# drwa weight. I am shooting it now due to a shoulder injury. All though I cant wait to be healed and back to shooting twice that weight, this light poundage is allowing me to keep shooting, and its a pleasure. Its a well made bow, with surprising cast for the poundage.

Larry, Welcome aboard, It's great that you are taking the time to share your knowledge with us. I have a Root Rover 62" and 30#. Can you tell from the Serial Number W8234 what year it is?

Larry Thanks for joining the forum. I am a shooter and collector of Root bows. My game master is a my go to bow. I live in Grand rapids but have a place in Big Rapids as well. I was introduced to Root by my friends at Phils auto parts and been collecting ever since. It would be an honor to see catalogs or anything related to the family business as I have a deep interest in Root. I hope my pics loaded of the collection. Thanks for joining and have a great day. E-mail [email protected]

forgot to add this is my pendulus supreme and a game master but I have lots more than these

Larry Look up a thread I started a while back titled simply as "root bows".

Folks,

I'm overwhelmed by your posts to date. I do plan to add to the "oral history" of Root Archery on this site as well as on Droptinetraditions.com. These are the two that were recommended to me.

I do have a few catalogs somewhere and will scan and post them, but can't promise when. I also have photos from tournaments, some of which may merit posting. I do have photos of the factory in Big Rapids shortly before it was moved, and think I still have photos of some of the earlier plants in suburban Chicago.

I've reconnected with a couple of prior Root Archery employees to supplement what I may not remember. I hope to preserve as much of my family's business history as possible, in the process giving you information on Root bows.

Larry

Thanks for your contribution to archery history Larry. We really appreciate it. Its really hard to get info on some of the older brands. Glad to have you here.

Larry, so glad you stopped in. Root is one of those names that is famous in the archery industry, but we have relatively little information. Your dad's contribution can't be taken lightly and we will welcome any and all the history you can provide. Thank you so much for coming here....your input is greatly needed and appreciated. More than a few of us owned and used your dad's bows back in the 1960's and earlier. Welcome sir. George

Mr. Root, thanks for posting!

I was discussing the great bowyers of yesterday with one of today's great bowyers, Fred Anderson. Fred paid a great compliment to Ernie who he felt was one of the past's great ones.

Judge Root, Was the factory originally in Rogers Heights when you came to Big Rapids? And if so, what year did they move up into Big rapids? Thanks, Kstout

This is especially interesting since much of what we believed about Root/Shakespeare is proving incorrect. Conventional wisdom had Ernie selling to Shakespeare in the mid '60s, not 1969.

This also suggests that the earliest "Root by Shakespeare" bows were really "Shakespeare by Root" and that ALL the Wonderbows were actually Root built. Not until the move to South Carolina then do we see the Wonderbow label/logo modified into Shakespeare Archery.

As is typical, the more I learn the dumber I get.

Rick

Thanks folks. I'm enjoying this too.

Our first operations in Michigan were indeed in Rogers Heights, a few miles south of Big Rapids. We had two locations there, plus a small shop in Big Rapids where Precision Bow Strings, my mother's side of the businesses, was located.

To help understand the divisions, there were actually three corporations behind the Root Archery brand. Bow Blanks, Inc. handled the early production steps, making the "sandwich" from which a bow is made. The handle, was roughed, but feathered. The maple laminations were cut and tapered. The appropriate fiberglass was chosen, then they were all assembled, glued up and put into a press that used air pressure to hold everything in a form for that particular model. The sandwich (my term) was then heated and the glue cured. Once it was done, it was removed and carefully placed on a cart with racks to hold the assembly horizontal. On cooling the rough bow was ready to move on.

Bow Crafters, Inc., was the operation that took the Bow Blanks and did the detail work to form the finished bow. This involved a lot of hand work. The bows were strung, their straightness verified and their draw weights checked. Final finishing involved them being sprayed with the finish of the era. They were then ready to go out to fill orders.

Root Archery, Inc. was actually the marketing arm of the business. Archery Research was set up later to handle the development of the Golden Eagle, it's manufacturing (on essentially the same lines as the Root Bows) and marketing.

One plant in Rogers Heights was dedicated to Bow Blanks. The other was Bow Crafters and Root Archery.

Eventually all three were combined into one plant in Big Rapids, but I'll have to research when that occurred. Archery Research came in the Big Rapids time frame. Precision Bow Strings stayed it its separate location in Big Rapids. In fact, it wasn't sold to Shakespeare, but rather PSE, Inc., about the same time as the sale of Root Archery.

Much more, but I'm out of time for tonight. I'll fill in some blanks in a later post.

Larry

This is priceless information and historically significant. Hope you're taking notes Rick. lol. I love this stuff and we are certainly learning much we did not know about Root, and Shakespeare too. Keep it coming Larry....it is so important that this is known.

I sure am George. I also am in contact with the grandson of one of the Cravotta Brothers plus the Browning thread. A LOT of new info for Vintage Bows, Volume III.

Larry, did the production of Root branded bows overlap the production of Shakespeares?

Larry to this day Jeffery archery ususes the Shakesphere equipment. Did this equipment origanaly come from your dads factory or did Shakesphere buy it new?

The Shakespeare "Wonderbow", No.X-15, sold new in 1961 for $79.95. Other "Wonderbows" sold from $26.59 in 1961.

I am not fortunate enough to own an original Root.... YET!! But I do own a few early Shakespeares and I for one really appreciate the workmanship and smoothness of these bows. Thank you Mr. Root for posting this information it is a pleasure to learn more about the history of these bows and the folks behind them.

I hope this isn't confusing but I also am registered on this site as Root, but it is a nickname I've had almost all my life (52) years. I do own a couple of Root bows in my collection simply because of my name. It is nice to know a little history about Root bows that I never knew and never tried to look into. Root Gies

ttt

Yeah, I saw the equipment in Owen Jefferies original shop on Pepper Street from when he first started...after the Shakespeare plant shut down for bows here in South Carolina. I am pretty sure they took all the old equipment to the new shop that Tom runs.....I am thinking some of the people that worked for Mr. Owen came from the Shakespeare location as well...not sure how many are still there but I met one woman when I first went there in 1990....who was shaping risers that told me she used to be at the Shakespeare plant I think.

Good stuff...I love this history...and glad someone is recording it as we have lost so much already.

I have a Root Warrior recurve with the serial number of...

H6415

It's a 58", 50# @ 28".

I'd be interested in ANYTHING you can tell me about it. THANKS!

Shorthair the last of the old Shakesphere employees left around 1995.

OK, to address the questions:

Root Archery made Shakespeare bows, as well as other private-branded bows, at the same time and on the same production lines as Root Bows. That continued until Shakespeare moved the factory to SC, although they really owned the operation from the date of the sale in 1969 on. The move was around 1971...

It's my understanding, based on what I've been told by a couple of our former employees that went to SC with the equipment, that Jeffrey bought almost all of the equipment. If so, they have some really great equipment. Shakespeare may have bought a few pieces of equipment, but the heart of the operation was our equipment. Dad kept, and I still have, Root Archery piece of equipment #1m an old bandsaw. It still has the numeral "1" stencil on it. Still works too :-)

As a side note, Dad told me that the guy who moved to Big Rapids with us when the operation moved from suburban Chicago in 1955, Bill Ramsey, made Dad a set of the patterns Dad himself used for his bows. I've not looked through them, but they are in my garage attic (if you saw that attic you'd see why I haven't dug them out). There are also a few of the really early bows in varying stages of completion. I'm concerned that the heat of many summers may have degraded the old bows. I'd have to check out the status of the Root Archery logo and business name, but I occasionally think it'd be great if someone (not me) put those old patterns to use...

As an aside, someone asked, either in this thread or the one over on droptinetraditions.com, who came up with the Root Archery logo, a rustic- stylized rendition of my last name, Root. The answer is that Dad designed that logo and came up with the immodest marketing phrase "Fabulous Root Bow". While Dad wasn't a sentimentalist, he also wasn't known to be overly modest. I write that with fondness. Dad was good (great) at what he did and knew it...

Shakespeare did offer a number of our employees the option of moving with the operation to Columbia, and a few did go. By name (from a memory famously weak in the remembering-names category), they were Bill Ramsey, "Sam" Forrest Samuleson and Jim Obert. I don't know any of these by the nickname "shorthair", but a couple of these guys could have qualified for that description.

My posts will taper off for about three weeks as I'm heading off to Florida day after tomorrow, but keep asking questions. I'm making a list of stories to post when I get back.

this is such a great dialogue, Larry there are so many questions about your Father and his contributions to the Golden Age of archery. Thank you for sharing this!!!!!!!

Larry, you may have this copy of Archery, but I thought I would post it since there wasn't a lot of photos of your dad in the old mags.

Howdy Larry

I bought two of the Shakespeares in either 67 or 68 in Houston. The Kaibab and Ocala. Great bows. I now have two Kaibabs that are still in great shape. Glad you stopped in.

Ih folks. I'm still vacationing in Florida, but had to check in. Regarding the photo from the Nov., 1969 issue of "Archery", my wife and I attended that shoot, with me serving as a writer for our local newspaper. My wife worked at the paper and the only way I could get her boss to giver her the time off was to promise to write him an article on the tournament. I think I still have a copy buried somewhere at home.

I have a number of photos of Dad that I plan to scan and share, although I may have to do so via a link to some photo-sharing site (of which I now know nothing). I think some date back to his pre-WWII shooting as well as his post- war competitions. I also have some brochures somewhere at home too...

I've go homework to do on all this as I do want the "record" to be as complete and extensive as possible. I appreciate all your interest and information I lack.

Larry Root

To the top.

This is just fabulous! Back in 1968 when I first started deer hunting a friend of mine used a Root bow that I always admired. Thank you Larry for taking the time to keep this very important history alive on this thread.

Bernie

ttt

OK folks, I'm back and plan to start submitting posts on Root Archery, my Dad, Ernie Root, the Shakespeare connection, other private-brandings we did, etc. If you have specific questions feel free to submit them, either as posts, PMs, e- mails, etc. I'd like to address any questions you may have, to the extent that I know or can find the answers.

I'm enjoying this..

Larry Root

Larry: I have a question for you. Did your dad design the limbs for the Necedah or did he get the design from Harry Drake? Bob Savage called your dad to ask if he could use some of the Necedah design in his new bow (around 64' - 65') and he told me your dad said he got the limb design from Drake. That was a year ago. Last week, I spoke again with Bob and he couldn't recall giving me this info. He said it might be the case, as everyone was sharing.

Joe

That would be interesting to know...since Harry was working for Browning at the time as designer/bowyer.

Frisky....The 1959/60 RH100 series (200,300) resembled the Kodiak and Grizzly at the time, and were great bows...every bit the equal of Bears in shooting quality. Here's photo of the 59/60 RH200

Thanks George! Yesterday, I took notice of them when I did a search for Root. They look like the Kodiaks, a look that says smooth.

Joe

I might add, the ones I saw on ebay were fairly expensive, but maybe it was for two bows. I didn't read the listing but remember seeing two bows side by side. I'll go back and check it out.

Joe

I have a Root Warrior recurve that I found at an estate sale with the serial number of... H6415

It's a 58", 50# @ 28".

I'd be interested in ANYTHING you can tell me about it. THANKS!

Yes, that was one of my questions, who built the ones like George is showing? Ernie?

BTW, I'm beginning to suspect/confirm that Harry wasn't a Browning employee, rather some sort of designer/retainer relationship.

Frisky and I are trading pms connecting the dots of what is becoming a "Who's on first?" routine. There was more collaboration than we, ok maybe me, have assumed. Like this: Harry to Ernie to Bob to Paul, back to Harry, back to Bob to Tom & Owen using Ernie's press....that's just one bow model's lineage.

I just realized typing this, each bow has a sort of family tree genealogy. Hmm..

Rick

To the top for history's sake.

Just bought a Kaibab off Ebay a few days ago, should have it by end of week. The Kaibab is the same bow as the Root Brushmaster..this one is 56". Will post some photos when I get it.

Hey,that's great George!I really like mine,the handle is great and the wood is beautiful. Bill.

William, after all these years I can still be like a little kid waiting on Christmas; especially when you get a not saying bow is shipped, and get the tracking number. LOL. Hope that never goes away.

Mr Root,,Just wanted to say thanks for taking the time to share all this information with us,,I always enjoy reading/learning about archery's history and the folks who made it. It's important we gather and preserve as much of it as we can.

Hi Larry I shot in a few indoor shoots with Ernie I remember him well, he was a great fellow and a very good archer. 6-GOLD

ttt

I just found this, thought you all might appreciate it

Love the picture. Everyone is dressed like a gentleman an look, no advertisments to speak of on the archers shirt.

I know!! where are the beer sponsors????

I love this place. I kid you not i just saw a Root bow listed on craigslist. I had never heard of it and wondered breifly what the story was. I then opened the leatherwall and this story is on top. Amazing.

Was there much difference between the Darton Excutive bows and the Golden Eagles like in the pic ???? AzBear

I have a photo of a group in Las Vegas..1969..Ernie Root is one of them, and he is behind the other folks but you can see a hard cast on his foot. Maybe his son Larry can tell us what that was about. 8^))). Larry? I know you are looking in. People were kicking butt with that Golden Eagle during that time period.

I've owned a few Golden Eagles. All great shooters.

Dick Wilson was Manager of Shakespeare Archery Division around the same time as Ernie Root was involved with the company and left just around the same time as Ernie did. Dick was often in the catalogs from this period. What was his relationship with Ernie Root and Root Archery? How much did Wilson influence the designs? Did his affiliation with Ernie Root continue after they both left Shakespeare?

Great bows from great times, had a Necedah, also watched Jugger shot at Cobo Hall, & owned a Golden Eagle after that. Thanks You Mr. Root for all the history you are supplying.

I am going to bring this one back to the top one more time...a couple of Root longbows just showed up

DDave

Great bows Ihave 3

Where's Rooty? I thought he'd be on this.

Before the overdraw in the late 50's. Man I do want a longbow

And this wood be a good one to have

In case you can't read its a 100 # er. Lawerence Root has the story behind it

I just knew that Rooty would have to show his beautiful Root bows. Thanks Rooty!

I don't think anybody knows. All I know is I want one

A great pile of Roots! Those are beautiful bows!

I have three of the 50's style and a Root (by Shakespeare)Warrior.

The 50's bows are two Gamemaster's and a Ranger. I only have one in hand (a 57# Gamemaster) as the other two are making their way from the US to Canada through a friend.

How do you like the Rangers?

My Gamemaster smokes and arrow and right where I'm looking...

greensngravy...are there any markings/stamps at all on the bow on the left with no leather wrap? Can you post a closeup of the tips?

I notice it has a radiused shelf, unlike the others, and the limbs come off the riser like the longbows...interesting.

Ok I am off work

The one on left is mint condition and is cut deep 62" 58 pounds. The one on the right is regular cut but has more overdraw lams and is 64" and 60 pounds. Here's what we're looking for and its out there. Larry Root would like to have a combination of the two. 64" 45-50 pounds deep cut with the extra overdraw lams. This description is the preferred hunting bow of Ernie Root. Another pic.

Here's the grip and shelf on mine...can't wait to get that Ranger now!

First pic got eaten

The lefts and rights got mixed up

The radius shelf may have been reworked like daves bow. I know I did it.

I gotta find my Target Master from the '50's and take a couple pics.

ttt

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