fred bear polar ... ?

[Rob DiStefano]

looking to gather info on this bow - year and place of origin,  much obliged for any scoop!

(right click and 'view image' to see larger pic)

 

 

 

 

 

[Blackhawk]

Yeah, this was from one of Bear's best years out of Grayling, MI.

That's a 1962 version in zebrawood which looks like a great candidate for a visit to the beauty shop for a make-over.

It was Bear's economy target bow and I believe they only made it in 66" and usually in lighter weights like yours.  

I think every model made that year was extra special.  I have a Kodiak and Kodiak Special from 1962 and both risers are brazillian rosewood.

[warpedarrow]

At first glance they look like the 61 KS.  I spent many an hour looking at one of those.

How is the glass on that bow?  I have some paint mixed for the 61 that might match your bow.

[Rob DiStefano]

thanx lon and brad.  the bow's coming to me by way of hawaii later this week and i'll have a better handle on its condition.  i plan to restore it as best as can be.  much obliged folks!

[warpedarrow]

I never realized that there was a gap with wood showing on the grip underlay.  I started looking and I have a Polar like that.
The glass looked green in the picture; at least on my Ipad.  My bow is either light yellow or very yellowed white glass with a Zebrawood riser.  Mine is 1AY12R 66" 48#.

Forget about the paint, it is the wrong color unless you want to dress the bow up like a '61 Kodiak Special.  Mine appears to be in a little better shape than yours but now that I have looked it over, I think that it is a candidate for one of my clean ups.  It would be an eye popper with some fresh clear finish on the zebrawood.

[Rob DiStefano]

i had an alaskan recurve, bought new in '66, and a friend had a polar of the same year.  glass was always white on these bows.

[Ray Lyon]

Yup,looks like a 1962. I've got a twin just like it that was my brother in laws bow.  Probably my next clean-up bow candidate. It's a good shooter with my Allen Shafer b-55 string.  Had to do a little limb twist fix on lower limb.  Was probably stood up in a closet at one point.

[Rob DiStefano]

gonna check it out when it arrives, perhaps next week, make sure the glass and lams are good, clean it up, build a good dacron string for it, and it'll be offered in the st jude auction come spring in memory of its original owner who recently passed on.

[mangonboat]

1962 Polar is one of my all time favorites. They made them all the way up to 50# and they have excellent cast . The glass was very good, few stress lines seen 50 years later.

[Bigjackfish]

Yes it is a 1962 zebrawood  polar they made them in 66'' and 56''for women and youths.They are beautiful bows and great shooters,they cost $49 in 62 I bought one from RMSG to get me started in traditional archery.I would never sell it ,and have had offers to buy it.

[Blackhawk]

Now a 56" Polar around 50# at 28" could be someone's "Holy Grail"...so who has one?  

[mangonboat]

Alas, the 56" ladies model Polar, a stock item in 1962 and '63 and custom order after that for a few years, was designed for 26" draw and I've never seen or heard of one over 38#.