Need a dollar amount...Help!!!

[Glasspoint]

I was working in a feller's home today and asked him about the bow in the corner. Turns out it's a green glass backed Bear Kodiak.

He bought it in '65 and hasn't strung it in 20 years. It's 50# @ 28", has all the original writing and decals, and looks to be in good used condition. It also has a spring loaded bow quiver and four olive green Razorheads.

2 questions:

First, what would you pay for a used but well taken care of bow? and

Second, is it considered an antique?

The guy said that if it isn't worth much he'd give it to me for my son, but he didn't want to give away a fortune if he could help it.

Thanks for your help        !

David--I don't know, but I know someone that does--Rhoades

[raghorn]

Some of this doesn't make sense. The Bear Kodiak stopped production in 1966, after that there is the Super Kodiak and the Kodiak Hunter. Aluminum coin was used in 1961 and a pewter coin in 1962- both were flush to the surface. The raised coins started in 1972 and were gold or chrome covered plastic.Possible a few nickel silver coins that had a rounded surface in 1970-71.
The present owner says he bought it in 1965. so it had to be previous to that year.
I would have to say it is a 1961, which is in my opinon the best bow Bear made.
If you can post pictures or email me pictures it would really help.
Or offer what you feel is a price you can live with, if he accepts it and later finds out it was worth more then he will have to live with it. After all he offered to give it away.
I have seen Kodiaks from 1959 -1966 go for aprox.$500 depending on condition and weight.Here's a picture of a 1962. the coin is pewter but the black paint that is normally on the coin is rubbed off. this is the original rest and side plate.
The 1961 looks the same with the exception of the glass color of green on the 61 and gray on the 62. The riser on the 62 is a bit fatter.
   
   
   

[Waterhole-Ike]

Ron, your bow has the shelf on the wrong side!

[raghorn]

It makes them really rare. Kinda like when a broadhead goes through without getting sharpened!!!
         
Can you believe that someone would put holes like that in a bow, and right through the coin! Cost my $35 to get another coin. It's in the process of being refinished.

[Glasspoint]

Thanks, Raghorn!

The coin is flush to the surface, but the relief is really sharp, I misunderstood what you meant by raised. With green glass it's a '61. Like yours, the black paint on the coin is worn pretty bad (I thought it was tarnished until your last post    .

Thanks again for all the good advice and info! I knew someone I knew could help    .

[Earl E. Nov...mber]

Look at it this way Ron, For only another $35.00 one plug "Will Not" be visible when it's refinished.  

[PAPALAPIN]

DAVID

I am confused as to why Ron thinks it is a '61.

What color is the coin in yours?  Is the glass really "GREEN" or grey-green. The only really "GREEN" glass I know of would be a Kodiak Hunter.  Can you get the serial number on it.  for '65 to '69 the first digit in the serial number is the year.  Does it have a solid riser or is there an accent stripe through it.  Solid risers are '64 and earlier.  Not really enough information to determine a year.  Can you send a picture?

[Glasspoint]

Mr. Jack,

Sorry for the delay, the coin is mostly silver now, it looks like it may have been painted black in the past. The S.N. is 2F114, as far as the glass goes, it looks olive green to me; not bright green, but not gray-green either. Wish I did have a camera, I know a picture's worth a thousand words (yada, yada, yada    !

David

[PAPALAPIN]

David

I may be sticking my neck out on this one, but many of the '64 Kodiaks serial numbers started with a "2"  If it is a '64 it would have a gold flush coin, no accent stripes, and the glass would be a greenish grey called Artic Grey. However, I think the 61, 62, & 63 had the same color glass, but the '63 is a very distinctive dogleg design, also with a gold coin.. Without pictures it is very hard to guess at what year it is .  Ron may be right if the coin is pewter.  It could be a 61 or 62.  In any case, they are highly collectible if in good shape.  In my opinion, the '64 is the best hunting bow that Bear ever made.

Depending on the condition and the year, anywhere between $100.00 and $400.00.

Of course you should tell him that it is not worth much and get it for free, (ha)

[raghorn]

I had a RH 61 Kodiak that I sold in order to buy this lefty 62 The 61 glass is green, 62 gray.

[PAPALAPIN]

RAGHORN

I will defer to your superior knowledge of the 61 Kodiak

[raghorn]

Jack;
Not superior knowledge. I had one and that was the color, and that is also what was listed in the Bear catalog.
But I have been wrong several times every day, just ask my wife or my coworkers, but I try to keep the number of wrongs under 100.
 

[PAPALAPIN]

RON

If you had a 61 Kodiak, and you know from first hand expierience, that the glass is green, then you do have "SUPIRIOR KNOWLEDGE" over me on that bow.  Don't sell yourself short.  Apparently this is not one of your 100 wrongs/day.

I have never seen a '61 and did not know of the green glass.  I hear a  lot of people referring to the ARTIC GREY glass on the '60's kodiak as green.  That is what I thought he was talking about.  In any case, my estimate of the value of his bow stands. ($100.00-$400.00) Correct me if I am wrong but  I think the '61 Kodiak Magnums had a rosewood riser.  I would think that in "MINT" condition it would be worth at least $400.00, and in "ROUGH" condition, no less than $100.00.  Also, '61 was the first year of the Kodiak Magnum.  That always adds to the collectors value.  What is your opinion?

[raghorn]

Jack;
You're right, 1961 was first year for the Kodiak Magnum, and it did have a rosewood riser. I'm hoping that the price for a 61 Magnum does got to $400 until after I buy one!
I paid $400 for my 1962 Kodiak. Some may say I paid too much but I have never regretted it.

[Brian Krebs]

I have a kodiak magnum that is 52" and 45# ; and it has a gold medallion that is smooth with the riser; and it has an inlaid lamination[white on the edges;red in the middle] that goes from the upper and lower limb through the riser. It is not a green colored bow; but more red. it has grey face and back; and the serial number is 16CG51.

 It has no cracks; or chips etc; how much is it worth ?

[PAPALAPIN]

Sounds like a '64 Kodiak magnum.  If so, it should have two different woods in the riser.  Possibly Bubinga and Rosewood.  It will have the basic lines of all the later kodiaks.  The '64 was pretty much the final basic design for all the rest that followed.  

It is hard to put a value on it because of so many variables.  If in good condition, sight unseen, I waould say about $200.00

Check eBAY and find some like it and eee whqt they go for.

[Iowa hawkeye]

Looks like a Kodiak Mag to me, not a Kodiak.

 I 've got a 1966 (verified) Kodiak that is in 80% condition.Couple of mars on the limbs where there was a bow quiver, and 2 screw holes where the guy had a sight.Bow is 53# @ 28", 60" LONG. iT'S FOR SALE BUT i DON'T KOW WHAT TO ASK FOR IT. aNY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED....(Damn caps lock .!!!!)

[Earl E. Nov...mber]

Your 66 in the condition will on the average bring the low 200's on eBay, a good clean one with no holes and at that weight might stretch to 300. I wish it was a 65 I'd make you an offer.