'59 Kodiak question

[DAVE1275]

I'm fairly new to collecting old bears and still learning everyday.I was reading an article about them and it said the earliest 59's had the maple window then later in 59 they went to purpleheart windows.Then it said the earliest had no coin and red,brown and white overlays,then later in 59 went to just red and white overlays.Confused yet? My question is- Is my 59 a little harder to come by or did they pretty much use whatever they had for overlays,It has the copper coin,purpleheart window and red,brown and white overlays.It's a 60" 45#er in original near mint condition.Little confused what was the earliest 59's and the late ones.Thanks for your help.

[DAVE1275]

[d. ward]

Good looking 1959 Kodiak there.Nope yours is the common model.As for the first model I've not peronaly seen it with paper work from Bear Archery stateing this is the first 1959 Kodiak produced as yet so I can not answer for sure what the first 1959 looked like.As mentioned I'd need to see the paper work.And yes I'am still confused but then again I've only looked at 300-400 different 1959 Kodiaks myself so I ai'nt no pro by any means.
On the overlays the one's at the bottom of this pic are off a very early 1959 Kodiak which also had black lettering(same as a 1958 Kodiak did)rather then the normal gold lettering found on 90% of 1959 Kodiaks.bd

[DAVE1275]

I know my question is a little confusing.Basicly are the red and white overlays more common than then the brown,red and white.I thought they ment in the article the early 59's had a maple sight window and red white and brown overlays,most purplehearts I've seen have just the red and white.Man I'm confusing myself here.

[DAVE1275]

Thanks for the pic I didn't realize there were so many variations.

[Wade Phillips]

Dave - The red white and brown tip overlays were used on all of the rosewood, maple sight window 59 Kodiaks that I have seen. I have not seen every one that was made (although I would like to!!!). The red white and brown were still used when the maple sight window was replaced with purple heart. After the purple heart ran for a while, the tip over lays were changed to the two color. As Doc's tip overlay photograph shows, there were many different order combinations of the colors. If you have ever been in a factory environment where hand work is involved, you know not every item is as close to being exactly the same as those stamped by a machine with no discretionary handwork.  

Doc - You have the nod for the most complete collection of 1959 Kodiak tip overlays... I am more than impressed every time you post that photograph.

Hey, you know me, I'm mostly into collecting the entire 1959 Kodiak that those were originally on ... but those 60 some tip overlays still impresses me !!! Just imagine those 30 some bows after they were restored... Do you have photographs of all of them ???

Not sure what paperwork you need to see...

The 1959 Bear Catalog is the official Bear Paper Work that clearly shows only the Rosewood Sight Window in that catalog.

Until another official Bear Document surfaces, it would seem impossible to me to state that anything other then the Rosewood Sight Window is the first documented 1959 Kodiak.

If you think any differently, please explain the logic...

[TRAP]

Regardless of when it was made....That riser overlay kicks A$$$$$$$$

WOW, Nice bow, Trap

[d. ward]

Thanks guy's I've saved some of the best overlays.About 90% of them will not come off in one piece and normally break right in the string noc.If they've been reglued prior to the bow being restored.Forget about getting them off in one piece.If they've been repaired with any type super glue.Again grind them off or you may end up peeling the fiberglass up on the end of your bow.Of the 1959's I've restored thats all I've ever been able to salvage and jeez's there's a good number of 1959 Kodiak tip overlays missing in action too.
The originals even with a good coating of super glue still crack in the string noc because they are made of very thin paper right there and will not support the full force draw of the bow.Well not for long.
Wade as for the paper work I would like to see the Bear Archery warrenty card all filled out and dealer order form you know bows numbers listed and the shipping date of 1-59 or maybe 11 or 12-58 with bow box,paper work and 1959 Kodiak all together.The catalogs were not printed until 1-59 and the bow was around before the catalogs were printed so maybe the rosewood ibeam was the second edition to the family of 1959's.
Hell yeah that rosewood ibeam with maple side slabs no coin black lettering black & white tip overlays looking more a bit 1958-ish with 59 limb fiberglass and riser style.I believe some guy's call then transgender bows ?? That one comes up for auction I'd have about 3 kids 7 grandkids 21 Kodiaks and the wife up for sale then tring to raise money to bid..bd