Fishy Bear black panther

[Rick P]

So I was just bow hunting and lately the "odd" bears have been peaking my attention. I came across 380140749687 with a stated date of 1953. I tried to correct the seller and do to the late hour gave him an incorrect date of 1966. I now realise it would have to be 76, thing is there was no coin on the bow and it's style looks more Pearson than bear. In fact it looks like the guy took a fuzzy shot of an older Pearson Rouge riser then added pics of a black panthers limbs!?!

He responded that the neighbor lady said the bow was "given to her husband for his perfect driving record in 1953." Don't know if these folks are confused or scamers but it isn't helping my insomnia, my 15 year old nephew is shopping for his first bow right now and I thought the lower end bows at least were safe from this kind of nonsense.

[Rick P]

Also weren't all the K-mart bears future wood? The photos seem to show a zebra wood riser? Sorry it's 4:17am here and Ive been up with my son since 6:30 am.......yesterday........funny what bugs the snot out of you in the wee hours of the morning.

[jcar315]

Rick, Sounds like along day up there! I checked out the listing. Without question I think everyone would agree that it is not a 1953 bow. Regardless of what the "neighbor lady" says it ain't that old. In looking at the pics where you can see the limbs and riser it appears to be all the same bow. I have a BP but have loaned it to a friend to get him going with trad gear so I can't pick one up and look at it right here but the riser shape (I don't think) look like the BP bows I have/had. Not sure what to tell you. All the BP I have had were darker brown without question. As I write this it is at $46.00 and the reserve hasn't been met yet....she may be holding out for quite a bit more. I would be curious about what others with much more experience than I have to say about the shape.

[NumPls]

I have seen other Bear Black Panthers very similar to this one - same "horned" riser shape, some type of tropical wood (not Futurewood), no coin, 56" lenght. As I recall, the serial numbers started with a K, so I would guess that they were made in the early 1970s, like 1970-1972.

Ray

[Rick P]

Thanks guys don't know why but for some reason this really bugged me last night. I guess it was just helping focus on other stuff than the issue that had me up all night. It also really gets me that folks try to take advantage of our passion, it's not like we are unwilling to pay for bows if they are the real deal after all.

Jcar315
Judging from your avatar you know what it's like to be up worrying too. I think that's how gray hair is formed. I had my first child at 40 without a gray hair on my head, 2 short years later? Well lets just say I look my age now.

[NumPls]

Rick, some people are blessed with gray hair. The top of my head has been naked for about 40 years.

Ray

[jcar315]

Rick, I gave up fighting my gray hair and just go with the shaved head look! I stick to Bear bows and that is my area of "knowledge" while there are others here who are WAY more knowledgable than I am. Over there on **** if I get any kind of funny vibe about a seller or listing I trust my instinct and look elsewhere.

[Rick P]

NumPL's

I have the snow around the dome look going too, I have found that shaving it helps keep me from looking like my grandfather.

Thing is I wasn't even thinking of the bow for myself. I view the lower end bows as collector starters. My collection was kicked off by a Pearson Colt, not a great find but I love that bow....seriously if it was a chick my wife would be in trouble! I find dishonesty enraging and especially when it's aimed at newbie collectors, and as far as I'm concerned this guy is less than honest.

I will say this sight has been wonderful and everyone has been very helpful in building my collection.

PS I'm currently trying to round out my birth year bears 1967. Looking at a compromise Polar right now, it's lighter then I'd like, anyone have a 67 polar above 40lbs.?