Help w/ old Root "Ranger" bow

[Doc Nock]

This bow was passed onto me and I do not like  the handle... old style longbow with low wrist.

I suck shooting low wrist.

It appears to be 64"recurve with straight grip and 44# at 28".

Can anyone give me some sense of this bow's history and value?

I'd like to sell but don't want to hose or be hosed!

Thanks

[bearmagtd]

1959 or 1960 Root bows are nice shooters. If your not a straght grip person if it looks and shoots Ok it will be easy to sale.

[Doc Nock]

Thanks, Larry.

There is a SN# on it... actually not a bad looking li'l 64"...shot it some... it zips an arrow, but nah...not a straight grip fan at all.

Just need some input on what value to place on it so's not to hurt anyone or myself.

Thanks!

[Blackhawk]

There is a following of the old Root bows, and a good reason too.  Ernie Root was a fine bowyer and his bows hold up and shoot very well.

You will probably recall all those great Shakespeare bows, and there's a good reason.  They bought out Root's business and Ernie went to work for them designing and building most (if not all) of their models.

Unfortunately for you, values for these bows are only average.  A good shooter in a popular weight like yours would most likely sell for $125-150. Just my opinion, so others should jump in with another point of view.

[kstout]

I just purchased a Root Kadet longbow, same glass color, and same riser with leather wrap and paid $56.  I was told that the info being stamped in the riser indicated pre 1960.  A friend of mine has a recurve like yours, but with draw weight and info printed on with black ink, which he purchase new from Root in 1962.  This bow was a factory second, with slight blemish in the glass, and cost $24 direct from the factory.  They were made here in Big Rapids Michigan before Shakespere bought them out.

[Doc Nock]

Thanks for the responses, gents. That is quite a range... $56 to $125 possibly.

Anyone else have anything more specific to THIS particular bow and age?  Good information that the STAMP (not ink) suggests pre-1960. Thanks!

[kstout]

I looked at my $56 Kadet and there are no accent stripes in the riser, and there is 1 small hole in the riser near the top of the leather rap.  I believe the Kadet was probably the bottom of the Root line, or their starter bow.  This all affects price, so if your recurve has no holes, and is in very good condition, the $125-$150 is not out of line.

[2treks]

I don't know anything about the Roots,but I like that one.

[Doc Nock]

KS,
Thanks for that clarification. I'd like to see someone use it, but at 44#...it's right where I'm headed as I age... newer designs pack more wallop for the draw and this one draws a bit stout, but it surely zips any arrow I've put thru it... just that whole 64" and straight grip is like an ugly gal at the Miss America contest, just not for me!    

Might have to see if someone else might like it more than me...

[jackdaw]

The old timers at Shade Mountain Bowmen were big Root fans.....they say they were some of the favorites by many shooters back in the early sixties......good classic Doc !!....john