Hi everyone I want to let everyone know that serial numbers for Shakespeare bows have been deciphered thanks to Kerry Hardy, Peter Denley, David Ross, and John Murphy

http://shakespearearchery.blogspot.com/2014/01/shakespeare-serial-numbers.html

I would like to get Root serial number figured out but I need lots of serial numbers. If you own a Root Bow please add you Model and serial number. thanks in advance

62" Root Kadet longbow. 12339 KA

I've got a nice Rover: K9323

The vital stats on that Rover sure look to have been written by the same hand that did Shakespeares...and if so, I'd guess it to be an October 1969 bow.

Looks like it was around the time where Shakespeare merged with Root Keep the serial numbers coming. Thanks!!!

I have a root warror 58 l6175 50@28.

Yup I have a Shakespeare or two with similar looking writing!

Root Warrior... ..58".. ..H6415.. ..50#.. ..28"..

Root Pendulus 68" 28# J7171 Kenny

Root Game Master, 62", J5409, 40#, 28", S

I also have a Brush Master but it is on loan at this time.

Root Kadet, K154, 64", 007, +35+, II.

A lefty.

Should read "D007"

Root Game Master Custom with the following info stamped in the riser: GMC 60" 52, 28, 17539. Lance.

Also, if any Root owners happen to know when their bow was made (or first sold), that would be a bonus!

Root Gamemaster.

Sorry, mine is a 1967.

Root Ranger - 62" G3127 - 40# @ 28" - LH

Root Target Master recurve, 70", 50#@28" ...and "believe" it to be mid-50's vintage.

Serial #10797

I only have the one I bought from Cameron and I will post the serial number tomorrow...I will let Cameron know what you are doing just in case

DDave

Serial # of the TM above should read 10787, and not 10797.

Root Ranger. JF

Game-Master

Pendulus Supreme

I might add that the numbers on my Warrior are hand written in white, not stamped.

Root Target Master

Very similar to Blackhawks

with extra lams for "overdraw"

12947

Brush-Master

Game-Master

Field Master 13173 stamped in riser, 66" 43#@28. Green woven glass,butcher block riser, red leather wrap, limb wedges

Target Master TMB 5L 6147. 25# @ written lower limb, 25" Wht glass ,limb wedges, center stripe laminated riser 11 layers plus maple limbs and the Wht glass.

Warrior 60". H9212 45# @ 28" written lower limb, Brn glass, rosewood? Riser

Range Master. 66". E5035. 50# @28" written lower limb, shedua riser

Range Master 66" J8525. 40@28" written lower limb, Wht glass, shedua riser

Pendulus Supreme 68" L2198. 32#@28" written lower limb, Wht glass, beautiful rosewood riser with I beam like riser. Multiple limb tip overlays and by back of riser just below arrow shelf.

I would be really interested in pin pointing mfg dates. Good luck all.

I have 6 roots Will post tomorrow

UhtOoo I bet he wants the serial No. because someone was shot 4 rootn around where they shouldn't have been ;) and he's looking to match the right one;) to the right wood splinters ;) it'll be very interesting . JF

Root Target Master - 68", 45# @ 28",serial #TM 8777

Root Warrior

58" a60020 45+ 28"

All written in black ink on the face of the lower limb just below the grip. (Just like the above image of JRW's Bush Master and Game Master).

Here are some "Roots by Shakespeare" They don't seem to have a model letter designation at the end but the rest of the number code fits.

Warrior

A6230 January 1966 230th bow made. Date fits as it looks like the 58" Necedah of the same year. Made a day or two after Stumpkiller's bow above in fact!

Warrior X-100

B0185 February 1970 185th bow made. This also fits as this is the 58" model that has the hand forward riser like the Super Necedah.

Predator X-114

E01159 May 1970 1159th bow made This bow is identical to the Warrior X-100 except it's 54" long with the hand forward grip. It's identical to the Super Necedah. Both have the same build year so numbers match date.

Butcher Block Gamemaster

J6354 Septemer 1966 354th bow. 70# @30" factory custom?

Now some 50's Style Roots (In picture)

Fieldmaster-66" 54# 7850 FM

Ranger-64" 50# 16508

Gamemaster Custom-64" 57# 7672 GM

Gamemaster 64" 45# 6254 GM

My examination of the early Roots are that they had a sequential serial # that began when they began manufacturing and kept increasing. As you can see my very early Roots that look to be the same year have four digit numbers. The Ranger that was built later had five.

I have another Gamemaster but the serial number was lost in a re-finish.

JRW - my Pendulus Supreme is #A4093, just three bows newer than yours!

One error was the 1970 Warrior X-100 looked like the 1970 58" Necedah (not Super Necedah) that had the green glass and hand forward riser.

I need to take pictures of the serial digits of my "Root by Shakespeare" (should be the opposite!!) and post them. They are identical script as the Shakespeare's except no model letter at the end.

Here's the script on the butcher block Gamemaster...

bodymanbowyer's Ranger is 16850 and mine of the same year is 16508...very close and they look sequential. The early Shakespeare's like my R-100 did not have the code...it was simply L315.

So...it's starting to look like this:

pre-merger Roots were purely sequential (reminiscent of exactly what we found with Drakes, Peter), and stamped rather than lettered;

pre-merger Shakespeares were a letter for month, followed by sequentialserial digits; and always written, never stamped.

Post-merger, all Roots and Shakespeares seem to be letter for month, first digit for year, and then the serial string of digits; ending with model letter if it's a Shakespeare, but no model letter if it's a Root...and identical penmanship on all post-merger bows as well.

Question: can we find a pre-merger Root that is lettered rather than stamped? Or did Root stick with their stamping all the way up until the merger? So far we have Knifeguy's #17,539 as the highest stamped serial number--who knows, Lance; maybe you have the last pre-merger Root!

That would be a neat resolution to the question, if indeed Ernie Root stamped everything he made before the merger, and followed the Shakespeare lettering system on everything he made post-merger. Keep 'em coming!

David,

"JRW - my Pendulus Supreme is #A4093, just three bows newer than yours!"

How cool is that!? Mine used to belong to my father, who has since passed on. I'm setting it up to shoot in out state indoor target championship next month.

these are great! keep them coming. Looks like the later Roots were using the same system as Shakespeare or should we say Shakespeare was using the Root system. The only difference is the letter representing the model number which appears on the Shakespeare bows. The older stamped or woven glass bow are using a totally different system. As we accumulate the numbers we should see some indication of a system....so keep 'em coming!!

I have a Root Range Master 64" E7139 25#@28", could be wrong on the "E" might be an "8" its pretty faded. bought it years ago for my teen daughter. She is 27 now !

Range Master 66" I3136 46# @ 28 Pendulus Supreme 68" A3067 38# @ 30

There's a Field Master for sale on eBay right now (no, it's not mine).

There's also a Rover up for sale. It looks like the serial number is K7496.

Sold listings...Range Master.

Sold listings...The seller didn't list the model. It looks like it may be a Range Master. He sis say that the upper limb had "Root by Shakespear."

Sold listings...Early Cadet.

Sold listings...Range Master.

Sold listings...Range Master.

Sold listings...Range Master.

Sold listings...Early Field Master.

Aha! JRW's turquoise bow a couple of pictures back is a pre-merger Root with a serial number of 20,721...and by then Root had switched from stamping (used on Knifeguy's #17,539 bow) to lettering.

That glass looks like it's bi-directional, as well...hmmmm.

Sold listings...Rover.

Sold Listings...Rover X152.

Sold listings...Early Score Master (straight limbed longbow).

Sold listings...Range Master.

Sold listings...Brush Master.

Sold listings...Rover.

Sold listings...Game Master

Sold listings...Range Master.

Sold listings...Range Master.

The green Fieldmaster is 21506...highest yet...

Dave Ross's and JRW's "sibling" Pendulus Supreme bows show that Root and Shakespeare were together (i.e. using the same serial number style) at least as early as January of 1964.

I've seen two Root bows posted so far, using Shakespeare-style serial numbers, that MAY be from 1963...or they may be from 1973. The first is Drewster's Root Ranger, #G3127. The second is Allegheny's Pendulus Supreme, #A3067. If that bow is a solid rosewood riser (with rosewood I-beam, like Dave's), then it's from January 1963.

Even earlier is Northener's Pendulus Supreme, #L2198--this is probably a November 1962 bow, because he describes it as a "beautiful rosewood riser with white glass". This (I think) is the earliest Root so far with Shakespeare-style serial number.

So the hand written number on my Warrior is H6415. What month is "H"?? Is the 64 for 1964?

Recently given to me. There is no name on it just the numbers.

Woods Walker, H is August and the first digit, 6, makes it a 1966.

jerrynocam, Could you post a photo showing more of the bow, and tell us the model? That might be a February 1962 bow...especially since the number is on the side of the riser, rather than on the limb--almost as if they were still figuring out how to do it the new way!

57lancer, You've just posted my birthday bow, sort of! That Necedah with its serial #C6003 was almost certainly made on Tuesday, March 1, 1966-- the day I turned 10 years old! (Well, almost; I was actually born on Feb. 29th, but they didn't have one of those in 1966!)

Here's another pic. There is nothing else printed on it

That sure looks a lot more like a 1962 bow than a 1972... I'd bet that is among the earliest Roots made after they switched to the Shakespeare numbering system.

Thanks crookedstix!

Jerrys bow is a 1962.

Here's the dates for some of Northerner's bows...

Northerner wrote:

" Field Master 13173 stamped in riser, 66" 43#@28. Green woven glass,butcher block riser, red leather wrap, limb wedges Around 1958

Target Master TMB 5L 6147. 25# @ written lower limb, 25" Wht glass ,limb wedges, center stripe laminated riser 11 layers plus maple limbs and the Wht glass. ( I would like to see a picture of this bow.)

Warrior 60". H9212 45# @ 28" written lower limb, Brn glass, rosewood? Riser-August 1969 early in the first week

Range Master. 66". E5035. 50# @28" written lower limb, shedua riser-May 1, 1965

Range Master 66" J8525. 40@28" written lower limb, Wht glass, shedua riser-First week of September 1968

Pendulus Supreme 68" L2198. 32#@28" written lower limb, Wht glass, beautiful rosewood riser with I beam like riser. Multiple limb tip overlays and by back of riser just below arrow shelf. Built in the first day or two of November 1962 so might be the 1963 model year.

I would be really interested in pin pointing mfg dates. Good luck all.

Jerry,

Are you sure that's a Root? I've never seen one with accent stripes like that, and the bows looked different in 1962.

Later Gamemasters and Rovers looked similar...

The numbering system for the old Roots (50's and very early 60's was sequential numbers, exactly the same as Wilson Brothers Black Widows and old Winchester lever actions. Only way to narrow them down is identify characteristics that changed in the bows design and there was not a lot of change with the early to mid 50's designs. A bit more evolution late in the 50's with bows like the Ranger.

For the d/b, my Ranger has serial number 14090.

Range Master X166. 1969 bow, but no mention of Shakespeare on the bow - just "ROOT"

Another Range Master, different transfers, but only 1 year earlier - 1968. Looks like it was made the first day of July, 1968.

Here is an oddball - a Pendulus Supreme II. Rosewood and black phenolic.

Pdiddly- pics of target master

The "SL" at the start of the serial number must indicate something like "short model" and "left-hand"...it's a sweet little bow!

I originally wrote TMB 5L6147.

After looking closer I believe it should read TMC SL6147.

It also has insert for stabilizer and a site of some sort was attached in the day to the face of the riser, two holes have been filled. Its grip is very petite, so it was either made for a youth or lady.

I think it might be TML...Target Master Light? Or Lady's? Agree that SL has something to do with left or lite.

the list is growing, keep sending them. I am a fly on the wall, great discussions!! thanks

I had a brief (I hope) senior moment calculating the production date of my Range Master H8008! H=August, not July as I posted last night (maybe it was the lateness of the hour, - really, any excuse will do).

The normal Target Master was a lot longer than 62"; that's why I think "SL" stands for "Short Left". But maybe I'm S.O.L. on this one!

I think that's logical Kerry...do you think the last digit is an L?

Correction to my list above...only the Root bows with the "X" designation were Roots by Shakespeare. The 1966 Warrior and Gamemaster were not. The 1970 bows were.

David...very odd that Rangemaster with the X-166 designator did not have a "Root by Shakespeare" decal on it. The X-xxx series were all like that.

I have a X-114 Root Predator that was virtually identical to the Super Necedah...have not seen that bow listed anywhere.

Better pics

No, I think maybe the likeliest explanation on this bow is "S" for short model, "L" for November. "6" for 1966, and a serial number of 147, as in the 147th Root bow of the month. I don't think we've seen any other Root or Shakespeare bows yet that bothered to mark lefties with an "L," have we?

Also, Dave Ross's Pendulus Supreme II above, serial #70429, raises a new question--what happened to the letter designating month?

Is this a 1967 bow, serial #0429? Or is it (more likely?) a July 1970 bow, serial #429? Perhaps by 1970 the Shakespeare move to S. Carolina had alienated Ernie Root enough so that the two companies had parted ways for good, and Root had changed their system yet again.

Pendulus Supreme

Crookedstix,

"Also, Dave Ross's Pendulus Supreme II above, serial #70429, raises a new question--what happened to the letter designating month?

"Is this a 1967 bow, serial #0429? Or is it (more likely?) a July 1970 bow, serial #429? Perhaps by 1970 the Shakespeare move to S. Carolina had alienated Ernie Root enough so that the two companies had parted ways for good, and Root had changed their system yet again. "

That's a great question. Near as I can tell, that type of Pendulus was introduced around 1966 (according to the Pendulus Supreme ad on the Root/Shakespear blog). This photo is of the serial number on the bow in the ad.

Jerry's bow with the leather wrap grip looks like the 100, 200 or 300 if full working recurve, and those would be Shakespeare bows from 59 and 60. The same riser with semi recurve limbs would be 400.

Larry...I have a Golden Eagle with number: GC 2506. Also has SP 66 on it. A 68" model.

I Just took it out of the shipping box this morning and have yet to clean it up.

Heheh, looks like George hasn't totally given up on that shoulder yet...I was expecting your next bow to be a lefty, George!

Northener--

Now THAT is a piece of rosewood!! Holy smokes...what a stick of wood.

Yep. I love old target bows for one. Secondly it was disgustingly cheap; no one was bidding since it had no decals or other markings, and the seller said as-is...and knew nothing about archery. Cha-ching. And....it's 34# and will make a good "old man's field archery bow."

Root Brushmaster X138 Right handed,58", L9143, 45#, 28"

Root Brushmaster Right handed, 58", J8253, 51#, 28"

Root by Shakespeare, Root Warrior X100, Left handed, 58", L0378, 50#, 28"

Crookedstix. Thanks, as always pictures never do justice, it's beautiful for sure. Years ago I kinda went on a Root craze, they went real cheap then too. Seems price, quantity and quality has changed over the years on Roots.

Another interesting point is that Knifeguy's Root #17,539 is stamped; whereas #17,989 (a sold listing that JRW sent a photo of) is written on the limb. We can watch for anomalies on either side of these numbers, but based on limited data we can speculate that sometime in the high 17K range they threw the stamps away and switched to lettering.

"Dave Ross's Pendulus Supreme II above, serial #70429, raises a new question--what happened to the letter designating month?" perhaps the record keeping was different for "II" bows? Sounds like they had a separate little black book......?

Thank you all for the information. This bow belonged to a good friend who recently died. His wife found it and gave it to me. Jerry

Northener - your PS is fantastic. To my eye the wood looks like a mostly heartwood/partly sapwood of cocobolo rather than Brazilian Rosewood. Close relatives, but cocobolo is a little more "dark chocolate" to my eye. If so, it would be the only Root bow I've seen of that wood. Kerry - what thinkest thou?

I'm no wood expert, but I can see why you would say that; here's a pic of coco heartwood and sapwood together. Whether it's rosewood or coco, it's gorgeous--any way you slice it.

That's one of the nicest risers I have seen on a bow ever! The grain really complements the curves. Dave Ross is drooling! HAHA!

From left to right Golden eagle (with Root label only)RA6111 Pendulus supreme c9009 Root by Shakespeare game master j0065 Spotter D-1170-A Target master D5202 Target master 18762 Warrior j6181 Target master 8600 Game master 1038 Brush master18737 More to follow

Left to right Rover K6130 Target master 15633 stamped Cadet E 6387

You fellows may be right about it being Cocobolo. That picture of crookedstix sure is a spitting image of the PS riser.

Root Warrior

58" J7551 45# 28"

blisters1 that is one beautiful collection!!!

Northerner,

I have to agree with the others. That is the best looking Pendulus I've ever seen. Absolutely gorgeous.

I assume Blisters1 that your TargetMaster #18762 is written, rather than stamped (since your second post identified a 15,xxx TM that WAS stamped). If so, this supports the idea of a switch from stamping to writing in the high 17,000's. It will be fun to see how close we can come to pinning the exact number down.

Brush Master, 58", J6278, 40, 28"

[img]http://i.imgur.com/KmzCN5v.jpg[/img] [img]http://i.imgur.com/OmPwv8K.jpg[/img] [img]http://i.imgur.com/LfgT73Q.jpg[/img]

crookedstix i hope this helps.

http://imgur.com/a/JhFW1

Here's an album with a few more pictures.

thanks!keep them coming

Are you getting the years figured out ? JF

Here are a few more....... 19663 Field Master Custom 66" 50#@28

B9055 Kadet 64" 30@28

E01018 Kadet X154 Amo Standard 64" 20+@28

C6341 Pendulus Supreme 68" 39@28

H2121 Pendulus Supreme 66" 35@28

G3036 Range Master 66" 26@28

K9141 Rover Amo Standard 62" 35@28

G4181 Sporter 64" 35+@28

M9968 Field Master X176 Amo Standard Root by Shakespeare 66" 40@28

F7205 Brush Master 58" 48@28

My newest...

H311348 54" 40#II

This one must be a shakespear. It has different tips and no writing on the bow. Any hint on what is the name of this model.

My guess is that mine is a Targetmaster...serial number is 14237 with a CU stamped just below...the bow is also stamped 67 inches

DDave

Raven...that last bow (54") is a August 1973 "Root by Shakespeare" Predator X-114. It's a Super Necedah without the zebra wood. Note the I-beam construction.Late 70's construction Super Necedah's had those tips as well.

AO1343 Root Warrior x 100. It,s beautiful!

That Warrior was built in January 1970 mudge...they are very nice and similar to the Necedah, but not exactly the same.

WOW keep them coming...thanks guys

Larry,

Root by Shakespeare Brush Master H010

Cool bowjack...that's the 10th bow made in August 1970. So an August 1 bow.

Pdiddly,

I'm guessing this Root Rover by Shakespeare was made in April 1970.

You got it!

Root Feild Master #15202 66" 42#

On ebay.

Left: 50# Root by Shakespeare Game Master 62"

Right: 47# Root Brush Master 58"

Root kadet 64" J3169 35 28"

Butcher block Game Master J8454

62" Game Master #594

Root Sporter 64” C5320 40+ 28”

Root Sporter 64” C5320 40+ 28”

I got a range master 66 " 28# 28" right hand with written serial number B4091.

Ranger 64" 35# @28" H1014 hand written.

Game Master

Root Warrior 58" 50# @ 28 L6175.

Root Range Master 66" 32@28 A6192

I have three:

Root Game Master- A 0407

Root Warrior - K 6183

Root Warrior - G 6222

Root Warrior

J7744

45# 58"

keep them coming!!

since there are so few Root catalogs these are realling helping to figure years of each model

9362 GM 62" 49#@28".....I believe it's a 1956 butcher block..?...snake\Jeff....top bow, bottom is a 59 grizz...

I shot a nice 6 pt buck with that Root....they are fine shooters...snake

Old thread, thought I would see what this bow might be.

Made in April 1969.

Great target bow!

Would not a 69 Root bow have the Shakespeare emblem?

Root Range Master 66" D9246 32# 28"

ROOT KADET 64 inch @ 35 Lbs 70513 Sweet Bow Could be up For Sale Thank You

"Would not a 69 Root bow have the Shakespeare emblem?

No...both brands were made concurrently every year.

Salamander...your bow was made in April 1969 as well, the same day as Jimdgreat1's bow.

Thanks Pdiddly2 I haven't bought it yet.

Salamander how does your range master shoot?

My Field Master

Root Brush Master

Not my photo?.

Jimdgreat1 It shoots great, My wife has had it for 20ish years, and I liked it so much she found me a Shakespeare X-16 that is similar enough so I would stop stealing hers, its J83023B (September 1968, number 3023, X16 Supreme). I was wondering about handle shape, it seems like the Root's handle is thicker, and for a larger hand while the Shakespeare's handle is a bit thinner.

Jimdgreat1 It shoots great, My wife has had it for 20ish years, and I liked it so much she found me a Shakespeare X-16 that is similar enough so I would stop stealing hers, its J83023B (September 1968, number 3023, X16 Supreme). I was wondering about handle shape, it seems like the Root's handle is thicker, and for a larger hand while the Shakespeare's handle is a bit thinner.

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