Rare Bear ?

[Stykbowslim]

I've had this bow for quite a few years now and could never really pinpoint exactly what year it was made or the model. I believe it's a 1950/51, Bear Polar. However, with everything that I read about Bear bows during the 1949/53 time period, I cannot confirm what bow I have.

The bow has aluminum lamination's, covered with a reddish-brown wood lamination on the belly of the limbs. On the back of the limbs are honey-blonde wood lam's covered with unidirectional glass. The decal on the upper limb is the small running bear, on the lower limb there's a "Pat Applied For" decal. The Serial number is P-3211 B. The grip is leather wrapped and there is an arrow shelf on both sides of the riser. 

[Stykbowslim]

Does any Bear Archery history enthusiast have any thoughts on this bow?

[campfooey]

[campfooey]

[campfooey]

Still trying to get the pictures strait

[Blackstick]

I tend to agree with your assessment, 1950/51. What really throws me is the double shelf that didn’t happen until late 1953. It could possibly be experimental or someone may have ordered it like that. I have no idea if Bear had a Custom Shop back then. I also realize that this is of no help. 

[Jon Stewart]

Google Vintage Archery catalogs and your info will come up under Bear. I read where they discontinued using aluminum in 1951.

[Stykbowslim]

Sorry Campfooey, I'm not understanding your posting pics of the Tamerlane.

Thanks Blackstick... the double shelf makes the search unclear to me also.

Thanks for the info Jon Stewart... I did a lot of Google searching and found little in regards to the bow with a double shelf and aluminum lams. As Blackstick noted; it's possible that it could have been a special order bow or an experimental bow, difficult to say at this point. Based on the lack of information on the internet, I would say it's a unusual Bear Polar, to say the least.

[Jon Stewart]

Your thinking that the dual shelf on the Polar makes it a rare bow or the dual shelf with aluminum makes it rare?  There are old catalogues on disc. Maybe someone has one and can look it up.

[Jon Stewart]

Did some more checking on this.  The Polar's were all dual shelf until 1953 when they came out with the single shelf.  The dual shelfs were not cut into the riser but wedges on both sides of the bow that slid under the leather grip.  What does make the bow rare is the aluminum lam. That was done for just a short time and then stopped because of breakage. I have a Grizzly with aluminum in the limbs.

[Stykbowslim]

Did some more checking on this.  The Polar's were all dual shelf until 1953 when they came out with the single shelf.  The dual shelfs were not cut into the riser but wedges on both sides of the bow that slid under the leather grip.  What does make the bow rare is the aluminum lam. That was done for just a short time and then stopped because of breakage. I have a Grizzly with aluminum in the limbs.

Thanks Jon... I'm basing what I know from an article that the late Al Reader wrote for the Stickbow website. According to that article, the Bear Polar (w/aluminum lams) was first put into production in 1950. The production of Bear bows with the aluminum laminations was discontinued sometime in '51. What makes the bow that I have unique, in addition to the aluminum lams, is that the riser was cut for a double shelve - no wedges. I would post pics, however I'm in the process of moving and the bow is packed.