1953/1954 Bear Polar questions

[Ken Sorg]

First question is how do I properly date this bow? The bow has and orangish/ brownish glass with the larger bear decal (which started mid 1953,,,,I read this) and squares off and butts against a handle overlay.
Second question is what length string for it? It s a 64", 37lbs bow that is in great shape and is very shootable,,,,,,paid 67.00 for it. The bow has a arrow shelf wedge (extension) under an original leather grip and also has a feather rest,,,,needs replaced. Nice old bow and you can tell she has history.

[bamboo]

check this out flinger--

 http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=14;t=003321#000000

Jeremy covers it pretty well--

[Ken Sorg]

Man does he ever! 1954 it is!
Thanks for searching Mike

[warpedarrow]

Thanks for posting that link to Jeremy's identification  thread.
I will have to go back and study it some more.

I have a 1950 Polar with the exposed aluminum belly and woven glass laminate that I was able to confirm my thoughts on using that information.  Information like that is hard to come by.  I feel like I have been given a treasure when information like that is made available.

[warpedarrow]

[bamboo]

no problem flinger--I was looking at it yesterday--turns out I've got a double shelf 54
and while looking at it I compared it to a 53 cub and realized that they were built on the same form! the cub is shorter@62 but identical in shape/set-back--and that cub rips an arrow--I've never shot the polar--but I'm bettin its good!

[Jim Picarelli]

I have a '56 Polar, 64" & 53#@28"....was just shooting it today. Forgot how nice it shoots!

[Jeremy]

I'm glad there's still interest in the old Polars!

The '56 Polar is a favorite of mine, but what I'm really looking to find is a transitional '57: single cut in shelf made on the '57 form but with the riser trimmed like a '56.  

I've seen pictures of one.  If anyone ever finds one...  :D

[Jeremy]

flinger, as for the string length it's a crap shoot.  These were made before AMO standards and the length of the bows from the same year vary by as much as an inch depending on who was working on them     A good starting point is 61" to brace the bow in the 6.5-7" range.  If you'd like, I can measure the ntn length on mine and the string length tonight to give you a starting point.

[Ken Sorg]

Originally posted by Jeremy:
flinger, as for the string length it's a crap shoot.  These were made before AMO standards and the length of the bows from the same year vary by as much as an inch depending on who was working on them      A good starting point is 61" to brace the bow in the 6.5-7" range.  If you'd like, I can measure the ntn length on mine and the string length tonight to give you a starting point.

Went with a 61" and I twisted a little to get to 6.5". It's just way too cool shooting a 1954 Polar!! This bow came with a nub of feather rest, no strike plate, and cresting paint streaks all over the sight window,,,,,bow reeks of history! My 7 yr old daughter has claimed it as her own but I can shoot it whenever I want,,,,how nice! Really appreciate all the info guys, and thanks for laying it out for us Jeremy!