Trad Gang

Main Boards => Trad History/Collecting => Topic started by: longshadow on February 12, 2014, 01:41:00 PM

Title: Trying to date an old bear Kodiak
Post by: longshadow on February 12, 2014, 01:41:00 PM

I have an old Bear Kodiak static tip bow and cannot pinpoint what year it was made.  Can anyone here tell the year by the serial #  K-4-113271.  It  appears to be all maple, with running bear decal, 64" long and 51lbs. No aluminum lam in the bow. it seems to be somewhere between 1949 and 1953 but I keep getting conflicting info. Can anyone here help me out...

I was also wondering what the suggested brace height was for the older static tipped Kodiak's.


Thanks,  Alan

Title: Re: Trying to date an old bear Kodiak
Post by: Ray Lyon on February 12, 2014, 02:25:00 PM

Pictures are always helpful if you can post them

Title: Re: Trying to date an old bear Kodiak
Post by: Jack Shanks on February 12, 2014, 03:16:00 PM

1951 Blond glass back maple belly
1952 Blond Glass back and belly
1953 Red glass back and belly

Title: Re: Trying to date an old bear Kodiak
Post by: Wade Phillips on February 12, 2014, 03:29:00 PM

As many of us realize, serial numbers are not always a reliable method to date a Bear Kodiak, partially because humans sometimes made mistakes in writing numbers on bows.

The highest serial number I have ever seen on a Static Kodiak was under 20000 (5 digits after the K-4) indicating 20,000 bows. It is possible more than 20,000 were made and that a slightly higher numbered bow exists.

Your number K-4-113271 has 6 digits after the K-4, indicating 113,271. Seems 13,271 would be a realistic number that one would expect to see on a 1953, Red Glass Back & Belly.

If the number were 11327 it too would fall within the range of expected serial numbers for a K-4.

I'm guessing someone put an extra "1" before or after the intended serial number.

I've learned that almost any thing is possible to turn up on an old Kodiak.

Title: Re: Trying to date an old bear Kodiak
Post by: longshadow on February 12, 2014, 06:53:00 PM

Thanks guys,  it must be a 1952, it has blond glass on both belly and back. I double checked the serial number and the last 1 may be a smudge mark. So I am assuming the serial # is K-4-11327.

Still looking to find out where I should start for a brace height...

Thanks again,  Alan

Title: Re: Trying to date an old bear Kodiak
Post by: Bjorn on February 12, 2014, 07:53:00 PM

Those bows brace quite low for a recurve; I have been shooting my 1952 64" Kodiak for the upcoming Fred Bear shoot and 6 1/2" is where I am at.

Good to see you posting Wade!   :thumbsup:

Title: Re: Trying to date an old bear Kodiak
Post by: longshadow on February 13, 2014, 02:10:00 PM

Thanks again guys,  this is the place to get answers...

Alan