need help with bear kodiak II

[ridge runner]

I picked up a bear kodiak 2 early last year and just put it away, now i'curious as to what i've got. Its a maple riser compass kodiak thats 60"long and 46#@28. The grip and strike plates are original. Theres no stress cracks and the the limbs are straight, the finish has yellowed a little but its all there. The tips are great. It has the standing bear decal and the only flaw is the kodiak II  decal has a small piece missing, the other 2are perfect. My guess is its a 54. Any help /info would be great. I'd post pics but haven't figured that out yet. On a scale of 1-10, i'd give it a solid nine . Thankd guys.Tony

[wadde]

The Maple riser 54 Kodiak II is a good collectable bow. The Walnut riser model is more collectable however. It is worth what someone is willing to pay at any given time. You should be able to get at least 150.00 for it.

[Bjorn]

If it has a compass in the handle and if it is dual shelf it is a 1954 Compass Kodiak. From your description it sounds like a great bow. String it up carefully with a stringer. Pull it back several times before coming to full draw with it. Nice shooting bows. The maple riser bow came out later due to breakage of the walnut risers.

[ridge runner]

Yes it has both the compass and the dual shelf. I did some checking on it when i first got it and read about the breakage issues and the advice not to shoot it. I'm not a collector and don't know much about vintage bows, but i am interested in what i have. I watch the auction site to get an idea of what they go for and every now and then they pop up.id hate to shoot it and have it break but i am curious. Is it a collectable bow? Did they make many? If i remember right the ser #is CB360. For being 60 yrs old im amazed at the condidtion. Thanks guys. If anybody else knows any more about this please feel free
Tony

[Jack Shanks]

The only thing I can add is the 1954 Kodiak came in three lengths 60", 64" and 68". By far the most common were the 60" and least 68". The walnut risers were only made in the first months of production so they are more rare.

[papabear08]

Jack, it also came in 56". I have all four in my collection and this is true in both maple and the walnut risers. 56" is by far the hardest to find and valuable.

[ridge runner]

Thanks guys, is it worth shooting and using or should i just keep it hung on the wall?

[Jack Shanks]

Thanks papabear08. I knew the '55 did but have never seen a reference to 56" 1954. Good to know.