CHARLES ELBERT BERT" GRAYSON, M.D.
July 24, 1910 -
ARCHERY HISTORIAN

Born in Boone, Iowa. Moved to Riverside, California in 1919. Bert became interested in Archery through his Scout Master in 1922. Bert was a practicing M.D. from 1942 to 1972. During this period he became a member of a select group of doctors who for their hobby enjoyed Archery.

While Bert did shoot many local target tournaments and enjoyed hunting in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Africa, his primary interest was in shooting flight, which he began in 1926, and is still competing in 1983.

At various times Bert held National Flight records in 50, 60 and 80 lb. classes. He placed first 13 times, second 8 times and third 6 times in flight competition.

Accomplishments - Contributions:
-Developed the first 'key hole' flight bow, made for him by Joe Lightcap.
- Vice President of Society of Archer Antiquaries.
- Developed the first forward-handled flight bow.
- Chairman - member NAA Flight Committee 1972 - 1980, 1982
- Fund Raiser and Guarantor for 1954 & 1957 NAA Target Championship Tournaments.
- Sponsored two Junior Archers to NAA Tournament at Oxford, Ohio from California.
- Contributed many articles on Archery: Hunting, Injuries, and Equipment for "TAM." "Archery," Encyclopedia of Sports Injuries and many others.
- Appeared on television and before California Fish and Game Commission to combat 'anti-hunters'.

Of all his contributions to Archery, Bert is best known as one of the foremost authorities on American Indian bows, arrows, etc. He has amassed the largest and most comprehensive collection of Archery antiques and memorabilia in the world.

He has donated or loaned American Indian artifacts to such institutions as the Riverside Municipal Museum, the Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History (Hall of Arms and Armor), the Manchester University Museum in England, and the Ralph Foster Museum (School of the Ozarks), Missouri.

He is one of the few individuals that have been able to restore ancient archery equipment and was called on many times to identify and date archery equipment.

His articles on ancient equipment were accompanied by photos and sketches, done by him, that were so concise the equipment described could be reproduced.

A lesser known but very important activity of Bert Grayson was his pursuit of the Betterment of Archery in California. Besides articles on hunting, he appeared before the Fish and Game Department many times testifying on behalf of bowhunting. He financially backed many tournaments and young people's competition on the national level.

Bert Grayson - A Lifetime of Archery.

Inducted 1984