DISRAELI GEARS

Shimano Archery blue

Shimano Archery blue derailleur main image

The Shimano Archery used Shimano’s first parallelogram design. Frank Berto refers to it as an ‘inexpensive copy of the Campagnolo Gran Sport’. Certainly it has only one sprung pivot and the pulley cage pivots exactly on the axis through the centre of the pulley wheels. However the construction reminds me more of the 1961 Campagnolo Sportman.

I like the use of colour, the massive adjustable outer cable stop and the general glossiness. I am confused by the stop screw that restricts the rotation of the pulley cage (see the photos of the Shimano Archery-W)

This example is the standard version - it has a fairly short hanger plate and 9 tooth pulley wheels.


  • Derailleur brands: Shimano
  • Categories: Shimano - early parallelogram models
  • Themes: A riot of colour
  • Country: Japan
  • Date of introduction: 1966
  • Date of this example: 1966? (two letter code LL, 333 on the pulleys)
  • Model no.: unknown
  • Weight: 336g including hanger plate but excluding the extravagant ‘protector’ nut
  • Maximum cog: 24 teeth?
  • Total capacity: 22 teeth?
  • Pulley centre to centre: 46mm
  • Index compatibility: friction
  • Chain width: 3/32” and 1/8”?
  • Logic: top normal
  • B pivot: unsprung
  • P pivot: sprung
  • Materials: largely steel with bronze(?) parallelogram plates (they are chromed but not magnetic)

Browse associated documents.



US Patent # 3,362,238 - Shimano

US Patent # 3,362,238 - Shimano

US Patent 3,362,238 - Shimano Archery thumbnail


US Patent # 3,394,604 - Shimano

US Patent # 3,394,604 - Shimano

US Patent 3,394,604 - Shimano Archery thumbnail