seeking info/advice on a Bear Bruin II

[KC Jr]

Hi...I have a chance to buy a Bear Bruin II recurve. Based on what I could find out, Bear made the Bruin II model for Sears & Roebuck or Montgomery Ward. There is no number at the beginning of the serial number but it was made at the Grayling factory. I guess my questions are these: because it was made for one of those department stores, is the Bruin II a lower quality bow? While I'm new to the Bear collecting scene (just got a nice 1967 58" 41# Kodiak Hunter and 1969 56" 45# Grizzly) I haven't seen the Bruin II mentioned very much -- should I scoop this one up?

thanks!

[papabear08]

Never heard of one. Are you sure it isn't a compound???

[KC Jr]

Thanks Papabear08...yep...definitely a recurve.

The only picture that I've been able to find online is at the following website:

 https://www.proxibid.com/aspr/Bear-Bruin-II-Recurve-Bow/29365331/LotDetail.asp?lid=29365331

Initially I thought the one I saw was a 'fake' Bear because the logo is really different (more of a life like drawing of a bear's head...you can kinda see it in one of the pics posted above) even though the 1953 trademark symbol is the same. Then I ran into a single sentence talking about the Bruin II in Jorge Coppen's Introduction in Bear Archery Traditional Bows: A Chronological History. Bear made it for either Montgomery Ward or Sears/Roebuck.

So it's a real thing and I was curious if Bear collectors knew anything about it and if it's worth my money!

[crazynate]

You'll get a lot of different opinions on what's "collectable" on this forum.  Some guys out there (not on trad gang) take the word collector way to serious. I know a guy that  will tell you everything made after 1960 is junk lol. I just disregard people like that. It's just a fun hobby for guys like us that love Archery. So really the only thing that matters is what you think.   If you like the bow buy it. I'm sure you'll be happy with it. To my knowledge they're are not any written rules as to what is or isn't collectible. Even though some guys act  like there are. My collection to me represents my passion for the history of archery and my respect for people like Fred Bear.  Just my opinion.

[KC Jr]

good point! It is a good looking bow so I'll probably end up buying it anyway! I was hoping that some of those serious history buffs could shed a little light on this model as it never seems to show up in discussions/posts.

[papabear08]

Learn something everyday.