Bear Kodiak ??

[MCNSC]

Just picked up a bow that I won on a local on line estate auction. Took a chance as they did not know anything about it except the length which they had wrong. Anyway it is a Bear Kodiak 60" and 49# seems to be in great shape  except for the grip covering which is  coming off and will have to be replaced. I was wondering if some of the Bear experts could tell me a little about it. Would like to know the mfg date and location
Serial number is EC578. Under the grip there is the number 69224 which may be the mfg date, I don't know.  Also where can I find leather that would match the original.
Thanks...Mike

[Horney Toad]

There were several years with a leather grip. Can you describe the glass color(s) and the wood in the riser?

[MCNSC]

The glass is a grayish white wood looks to be maple it has a darker stripe front and back of the riser. It doesn't have a coin. It does have the decal with the standing bear. I did a little research and it seems to be between 1953  and 1959.
The bow shoots great, but I need to get a new string. Also it came with some three blade broadheads the only mark on the heads is a "H" stamped on the ferrel. They are glue on heads. Anyone know what they may be?

[Jack Shanks]

The E serial number and white glass would indicate it to be a 1958.

[wadde]

The heads are High Precision heads from the 50's.

[MCNSC]

Thanks for the help.    

[eidsvolling]

As it happens, I bought a 1958 Kodiak a couple weeks ago. It prompted similar questions for me, which I found answered here on Trad Gang:

   "58 white glass kodiak"

and

   What model year is the "White glass" Kodiak

[MCNSC]

Checked out those two threads, interesting to know. Thanks for the heads up on them. I had tried searching for info here without much luck.

[desertrat49]

What weight and type of leather are you using (3oz, veg tan, tooling leather, etc.)? Intact grips on my 50's Kodiaks about 1 mm thick; wanting to replicate as closely as possible.  Thanks!