1959 and 1960 Kodiaks

[Windsurfer]

First, let me be clear these bows are not for sale or trade.  I am only looking for information.

I recently came across a RH #43 56 inch 1960 Bear Kodiak in original condition.  It is in really great condition - no stress twist or holes.  It also has a purple heart sight window.  Can anyone tell me how common or rare this bow is, how many 56 inchers were made or what it should be insured for?

Second, is a RH 60 inch 1959 Kodiak with no coin medallion.  This bow too is in great original condition with no stress twist or holes.  Is there any way to tell if this bow was actually made in 1958 before the coins were available or early 1959?  The shape and size of the riser is like my other 1959 and not at all like my 1958, but the 58 I have was made on the 1957 press before Bear made the sow belly.

Thanks for helping me gain more information on these two awesome bows.

[Blackhawk]

I know of no reliable source that would tell how many of a particular model was made.  I can only say that I believe the 56" is rare (60" being the more common, then the 64").  Condition and rarity pretty much determine value and coming up with an accurate appraisal is tough.  With that said, I have seen these shorties go from $7-900.

I have seen a few '59's without the medallion, but it too is rare.

These two bows are extremely popular with Bear shooters and collectors with values always remaining high.  Personally, I find the 1960 to be my favorite of ALL Bear bows in both looks and performance.  

I see this is your first post, but don't be a stranger here.  You can also do lots of "searches" here on TG for these topics to gather much more info.  Good luck...

[hayslope]

The 56" 60 is considered a rare bow, as are any of the 56" Kodiaks.  It is also an early bow considering that it has a PH sight window.  There were a lot less 60s made than in 59.....factor in the 56" length and you have a rare bird for sure.  Prices are all over the place, so I'll refrain from offering an opinion on the value or insurance value.

My guess is that the 59 is also an early 59 bow given that it came with no medallion.  I have seen a few and they typically had something else unique or scarce about them......like rosewood sight window, etc.

[Windsurfer]

Here are a couple of pictures of the 56 inch 1960 Kodiak with Purple Heart sight window, original grip and copper medallion.

 

  http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k640/downdaline/IMG_0002.jpg?t=1316110437  

  http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k640/downdaline/IMG_0001.jpg?t=1316110437

[Blackhawk]

FYI, I believe those first medallions in the '59 and very early '60 kodiaks were copper.

[4runr]

SSSSLLLLLUUUUUPPPPPPP, SSSSLLLLOOOOPPPPP!

Please excuse the drool. That's frickin PURTY!!!

[hayslope]

Dave

Sweet bow for sure!  Very nice condition.

BTW - the mods will probably let you know that you need to downsize your photos....there is a thread somewhere on here how to do it.  The one that shows up is a bit on the "big" side!!

[Wade Phillips]

Windsurfer

You have some nice bows for sure. What ever you insure the bows for, if you have a claim, you will likely have to prove you owned them with photographs showing condition, and then prove their value with an appraisal or records of sales of comparable bows. If you post photographs of the bows here you will have a permanent record. Be certain to include images of the serial numbers.

The 56" 1960 Kodiaks are rare. The Butcher Block Sight Window and Purple Heart Sight Windows are both rarer then the Rosewood Sight Window 1960s.

If you live somewhere close to someone with a 56" 1959 or 1960 Kodiak you should compare the profile of your bow to either or both of those as the two years as each was built on different forms. It is entirely possible that you actually have a bow build on the 1959 form, but made late when they changed the overlays to black and white.

Sometimes, you just never know for sure what you have until you make actual comparisons with known bows.

[Precurve]

Those 1960 Kodiaks are something special.  Just an incredible find!  I agree with Lon on the shooting characteristics of the 1960 Kodiak.  I've had all of them and for me the 1960 is the sweetest shooter.  About as fast as the 1964 but much softer shooting and quieter.

Dave

[Windsurfer]

Here are side by side pictures of what I believe is a 56" 1960 Kodiak and a 60" 1959 Kodiak.  Comparing the bows:
Both have PH sight windows.
The 56" bow has black and white overlays, very pointed tips and the glass on the back is very dark brown (chocolate) - the 60" bow has red and white overlays, less pointed tips and the glass on the back is a dark tan.
The grip of the 56" bow is much fuller than the 60" bow.
The 60" bow has a screw for mounting the quiver, the 56" bow does not.
Can anyone verify whether the 56" bow is indeed 1960 model?

  http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k640/downdaline/1959%20and%201960%20Kodiaks/59and60Kodiakbows004.jpg?t=1317240938

 http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k640/downdaline/1959%20and%201960%20Kodiaks/59and60Kodiakbows002.jpg?t=1317240951

 http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k640/downdaline/1959%20and%201960%20Kodiaks/59and60Kodiakbows003.jpg?t=1317240960

 http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k640/downdaline/1959%20and%201960%20Kodiaks/59and60Kodiakbows001.jpg?t=1317240920

 http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k640/downdaline/1959%20and%201960%20Kodiaks/59and60Kodiakbows005.jpg?t=1317240995

[SlowBowke]

Wow.......wow?  Wow dont cut it.

Ok fine, so I only have ugly bows LOL

Sweet,

God Bless

[SlowBowke]

No expert but with the black and white overlays and fatter grip.........I WOULD call that a 1960 if I found it.

Others here have much more experience....oh wait......I have NO experience but what I read but I do read a lot? lol.

Pretty interesting stuff, Bowdoc....dang. If I ever get one Ill have to send it to someone to find out what it is....(if I really cared....Id have "one", lol)


Someday.

God Bless

[vintage-bears]

Sweet bow right there!
I say a 60'

[vintage-bears]

I do love my 60' Kodiak.


 

[Windsurfer]

Nice bow Philip, Bear sure made some awesome bows, 1959-62 are my favorite Kodiaks and K-mags.
Dave

[vintage-bears]

1959 - 1962 Kodiak's are my favorite also Dave.
My all time favorite of those is the 62' Kodiak.

 


The 1961 Kodiak is essentially the same with african rosewood and Grayling green glass.
 


Johnnyrazorhead has a 1962 Kodiak setup shown here somewhere with quiver mounted and boy that's sweet.
Maybe he will want me to have it someday    

........Philip