Help me identify how old my bear recurve is.

[Sambar]

Hi there just got a bear glass powered black bear bow it is 45# and 60"amo the number on the side is KL7953 it has black glass on front and back of limbs. If anyone can help me tell how old this is it would be much appreciated.

[Sambar]

Anyone out there that can help?

[Slasher]

All I find is the black bear was made from 1972-1978...
Also the K at the beginning is consistent with the new system that started in 1970... The 60's bows usually have a numerical first digit taken from the last digit of the year followed by a letter and then a number. 1967 would be 7G154.  Early 60's and prior is a real collector's teritory...

[Sambar]

Ok cheers mate does anyone have one or know how they shoot compared to a grizzly?

[Sambar]

I only bought it as a bit of a project to give it a clean up I wasn't to worried about it being a great bow as this will be my first bow that I'm refinishing, but am very curious on how they stacked up against the rest of the model range of there time, was it a mid range bow? better or worse than a grizzly ect? Or Any further info cheers

[wadde]

A little lower end than a grizzly price wise. No tip overlays and usually Maple riser with a raised medallion. Made 1972-1978? Grizzzlies of the same period had more exotic woods, tip overlays. Decent shooters, just not real pricey.

[Sambar]

Ok cool thanks for that. I will be putting some Australian hog deer antler tip over lays and some Aussie tiger snake skin on the limbs when I do it up so it should look pretty nice when I'm done with it.

[Sambar]

Any info on what string I should use? Should it just be a standard Flemish twist or can I use fast flight strings as well. The bear strings were Dacron I think, should I get one of those?

[Andrew Downs]

Originally posted by Sambar:
Ok cool thanks for that. I will be putting some Australian hog deer antler tip over lays and some Aussie tiger snake skin on the limbs when I do it up so it should look pretty nice when I'm done with it.

Hi Sambar,

Can you share your source of tiger snake skins?
I would love a mark kimber huntsman recurve in Aussie woods & aussie snake skins. (imagine how beautiful a red belly black skin would look!
   Mark Kimbers bows

[Sambar]

I'm still trying to hunt them down myself but am looking at brown and red belly black what ever I can get, but I think a nice tiger would look great. I have a few friends in the taxidermy industry so when I get onto some I'll let you know, as I'm still not shore if I can get one as they are a protected species.

[wadde]

The bow will not hold up to fast flight strings as it is original. It should perform well with a flemish string and you can twist it up or down to give you the brace height that works best for you. After you get those overlays installed you may be able to put some fast flight strings on it.

[Sambar]

Cheers mate thanks