73' & 74' Super Kodiak differences

[Redtail2]

I picked up a super k that needs to be refinished. It had a camo job put on it, in it's past and then removed. After a hard life I am going to bring it back. I know it is a 73 or 74 but the writing was removed. Without this any way to tell which it is?  Thanks for any help, Steve

[Jack Shanks]

The 73 will have gold lettering the 74 white. If there is no lettering I guess you could make it a 73 or 74 when you refinish it.

Sorry, I didn't answer your question. The lettering is the only difference that I know of. I suspect that the lettering was changed to white sometime during the 73 model year. I see lots with white lettering but few with gold.

[Redtail2]

Thanks Jack, can you tell me what letters and how many numbers were used in 73?

[Redtail2]

Thanks Jack, can you tell me what letters and how many numbers were used in 73?

[Jack Shanks]

Steve,

   All of the Super Kodiaks I have owned from 71-76 have a KZ at the beginning of the serial number. I only have one 1970 Super Kodiak and it has a KY serial number but is 64" long. The last year that length was offered in Grayling Super Kodiaks. I believe the 60" 1970 would have the KZ serial number. Each 70-76 Super Kodiak I have has either four or five digits following the letters.

[Kelly]

I have one with white lettering, rose tips and raised medallion but it says Grayling MI on it-what year would this be? Oh it is 60" and black glass-serial number starts with KZ.

[Jack Shanks]

Kelly,

 That sounds like a 1973-74. I'm not all that convinced that all 73's had gold lettering is the reason I say this.

Here is a 72 and a 73-74 that shows the difference in the stripes.
 

The 75 and 76 were the blue stripes.
 
The 75 had white overlays the 76 futurewood.
 

[Kelly]

Thanks, Jack. Mine looks like the one on the right-color of stripes is same as the tips, which are rose colored.

The raised medallion started in 1973, correct?

Whem did the Gainesville decal show up on the bows?

[Jack Shanks]

I have heard the raised medallion started in mid-72 but I have never owned a 72 Bear bow with a raised medallion. The US patent also began sometime during the 72 Model year and replaced the 1953 Canadian patent. Bear Archery moved to Gainesville in 1978.

[Big Bird]

Jack my wife has a 72 k mag, with the raised medallion.and I have a 72 k mag with the coin.

[Jack Shanks]

Rick,

 I knew they were out there but I have never owned one myself. They could have started late in the model year is why I don't see more.

[Big Bird]

I agree Jack,I have a 72 grizzly with coin,and a 72 kodiak hunter with coin.

[Whip]

Jack, I have one that I have thought was a '72 with the raised coin.  Both decals on the belly.  Is that what this one looks like to you?

 

 

 

[Big Bird]

ya whip thats a 72.and I also have a 72 with flat coin in it.

[Kelly]

Mine has the same color handle wood in the points whereas yours Whip is different. If you'll look back up at Jack's picture of the 72 and 73/74 ones you'll see that the 1972 has the same wood color in the points as yours does.

[stagetek]

Whip, That bow looks familiar !

[Jack Shanks]

Whip,

Sorry, for the delay in answering. Like Rick and Kelly said yours would be a later model 72 with the raised coin.