Two Bears

[Forester]

I have the usual questions about a pair of Bear bows I encountered today.  Dates and values?

I stopped by the local sporting goods shop and the proprietor pulled a few bows out of the corner for me to look at.  She thought I might be interested or could provide some info.  An elderly friend of hers wants to sell them because he no longer shoots.  I wanted to be honest with her and him so I made no offer to buy nor a statement of value, but said I would try to find out.  I have tried doing some research and found a little info but now I am asking of those more knowledgable and experienced.  Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

A Bear Cub is the first bow.  It has an "A" above the serial number, which is VC532.  It is 62" and 46#.  Double cut shelves with what appears to be an original leather handle wrap. The riser is a light colored wood and the limbs have black glass. There are two "latch on" quiver/arrow holders (two seperate pieces, not a quiver with a hood) holding four wooden "Bear" arrows with the blue cresting and blue nocks, yellow fletch and Bear Razorheads with bleeder blades.

I have found info leading me to believe it is a pre-1959 and that the A above the serial # is a scalers mark (initial)?  The bow seems to be in working condition but is nicked and scratched a fair amount. I could not string it but the limbs looked straight in its unbraced condition.  My value guess would be $50?  I have not considered the arrows/heads in the value but thought they were a neat part of the package.


A Kodiak Magnum is the second bow.  Serial number is KU27470 and it is 52" and 45#.  It is labeled with a green silk screen logo from Grayling and only has one patent number.  The riser medallion is raised, silver in color, but I'm not sure of the material.  The riser is green with a blue accent stripe and the limbs are a dark green glass.  There is a white/green/white riser overlay and green tip overlay/reinforcements.  It is driiled with one hole and the lower bolt of a Bear quiver resides there, with the quiver upper attached via a spring arm.  I would judge it in "Good" condition with minor blemishes, straight limbs and good shooting performance IMHO.  I strung and shot it and found no problems.

I am thinking it is from between 1970 and 1977.  Market value looks like, maybe, $120 to $150?

Is there anything else I can learn from serial numbers, woods, colors, etc. that would help me provide info on these bows?  I don't know that I want to buy them but I want the gentleman to get a fair deal when he sells.

[Jeremy]

Sounds like a '55-57 Cub.  I bought 3 in the last 6 months.  Paid around $50 for the one in excellent condition and $40 for the others in fairly good condition.

I've seen a bunch of those quivers go for ~$10, but occasionally they'll go much higher (still can't figure out prices on *that* auction site)!

The Kodiak Magnum sounds like a '73-77, but I don't pay much attention to the 70's bows.  bowdoc will tell you for sure.  I would agree with you on the value, but again the prices on *that* auction site have been outrageous lately!

[Forester]

Thanks for a quick reply Jeremy.  I have kept looking and I read that after 1972 the raised medallions replaced the inset coins and it sounds like this one has a "chrome plated" plastic one.  I also found mention of the blue accent stripe indicating 1976.

I haven't found much on the Cub so I certainly appreciate your input.

[d. ward]

Does the cub have silk screens or water transfer decals? 1955 was decals and 1956 they used silk screens.1956 is as discribed about maple riser double shelf,and black glass both sides.The mag may be 1975 white green,with green tips? I think 1976 was blue,green future wood overlays and blue future wood tips??? bd

[Forester]

If I have the distinction between decal and silk screen correct I think it is silkscreen, but I'll have to look again to be sure.

The KM tips are definitely green and the only blue is the verticle stripe in the riser.  There is one on auction right now that looks identicle in the pics.  18 bids have it up to $112 plus $24 shipping.

Thanks for the info.  It looks like we are zeroing in on 1955/56 for the Cub and 1975/76 for the KM.  I'll check on the Cub decal/screen and check back.

Thank you very much.

[d. ward]

I was thinking the value same 50.00 or so on the cub.Maybe 100.00-150.00 pending on the condition of the mag.The two peace quiver is it made of rubber with no hood ?? 2.00-10.00 and the single spring arm 20.00-40.00 again pending on condition.But thats not to say as mentioned above,one may sell tomorrow for 300.00 don't know what happens over on that sight sometimes eather.bowdoc

[Jeremy]

Told ya bd would set you straight  

More on the Cub I've been hoping to find out: My '55 Cub has the rest added after the fact with the handle and I've seen a Cub with the silkscreens done that way as well, so did Bear start cutting in the shelf part way through '56 or did they wait until '57?

[Forester]

Raineman, I was typing while you posted.  Good info and I certainly appreciate it.  The broadheads are in good shape but the arrow grippers are having some affect on the shaft finish.  I have not seen that the grippers are of any value unless they make the package special, but then again I have not seen much in this arena.  I think the quiver on the KM may have a little value but will need to look at that more.

Thanks for some good input on value.  That is what I am looking for to pass on to the owner and shopkeeper.

[Forester]

Dang, I type slow - everytime I submit there are more ahead of me.  You guys are great!

Two piece quiver is rubber with no hood, correct.  Little latches that connect each rubber around the limb.

More good insight on value.  Thanks!

[Forester]

The quiver and KM hole are factory originals.  The riser insert is like others I have seen in my looking and the bottom quiver mount screws in there "like it was made for it".

Your description of the other sounds correct.

[Forester]

Does the fact that there is only one patent number listed on the silk screen tell us anything?  Like, did a few patents run out and so there was only one left in effect at the time  so this bow must be made after a certain date?  Or am I over-thinking this?

[Forester]

I want to thank everyone who helped me out with information on these bows.    I brought them home with me last evening and spent a little time cleaning them today.  They cleaned up real nice for thirty-something and fifty-something year old bows.  The KM and the quiver make a nice outfit. The Cub has silk screen logos so that should make it a '56/'57.  I put a string on the Cub and shot three arrows and made a good inspection of it while braced - seems like the only flaws are "character" marks.

All I need now is a new string for the KM and a turkey in range    

Thanks again everyone!

[4runr]

Here is one of the two Bears!