Fred Bear Spear

[Rick Enos]

I have a spear that was owned by Fred Bear.It was given to a man,his name was Leo Schwartz..My question is,Has anyone ever heard of or read about a man Leo schwartz.Frank Scott told me that there was a man with the last name of Schwartz that traveled the archery shoots & took pictures.Leo lived in Roscomon Michigan.His daughter inlaw said that there was a picture of Fred & Leo with the spear.Any info would be appreciated.

[reddogge]

Sorry I can't help with the name but the only spear story I can think of was one made by my ex brother in law's father in the 50s to use on deer.  I saw it hanging over the door in his hunting cabin in Sullivan Co,PA and he told the story.

It was solid steel and very heavy with a fairly long blade.  It's design was made for dropping onto a deer from a tree stand due to the weight.  After missing a couple he connected, the spear going completely through the deer, pinning it to the ground causing it to thrash around and bellow horribly.  That was it for him and the spear and it was permanantly retired to its place in the cabin.

[Rick Enos]

Thanks for that story.I was told from Frank Scott that in the early days hunters would sit in trees & would spear Black Bear when they climbed the tree.He said that Fred had aquired a bunch of them over the years & If he met a person that he really liked  he would give them one.

[d. ward]

I've seen one spear that belonged to Fred I know of or let me say it was in Fred's office anyhow.Rick would you have a pic or two for us ? bowdoc

[Rick Enos]

There is a long story behind this spear...Here are some pictures.
 
 
 

[Leo L.]

I don't know this Leo Schwartz guy, but he's got a cool name.

And how did you get your hands on that spear?  That is way too cool.

[Rick Enos]

Well,This is Going to be hard to beleive but I was garage saleing in Detroit.My wife & I were visiting my daughter.Stoped at this garage sale it had lots of old tools.Looked around & was heading back to my car & a lady said what you looking for,I said old bows.She said I got rid of my bow years ago.I opened my door to get in the car & she said I have an old spear that was owned by Fred Bear.She said Fred gave it to her fatherinlaw now passed away..She went & got the spear & said that fred & Leo were friends & fred gave it to him.She said there was a picture of the 2 with the spear.When I got home I tore into every archery book I had looking for a picture.With no luck.I've had it in my basement for about 15 years now.

[seboomook]

Rick
Pretty sure that is an early 1900's US bayonet for the Krag rifle before the '06 springfield.
Handle modified for the spear of course.
Is the base of the blade marked US and a date on either side?
Very cool memento
Brad

[Rick Enos]

Yes--It is stamped US on one side & 1900 on the other.

[Rick Enos]

I should probabily get this to someone that would display it.I dont know how much interest there would be in a non-archery Fred Bear implement...

[d. ward]

Rick thats pretty cool right there and I figured that would be just what it would look like.Yes I do believe that is one of them from Fred's office.It does look the same to me.I've not seen the pics showing them in several years and will try my best over the next few days to find them and double check.Thats cool bowdoc

[Rick Enos]

I would love to see a picture of it.Joe StCharles told me in a trip to Kalamazoo that he he thought he had seen a picture of one of the very early archers with this spear-But after some research decided not.