A Couple of Ordinary Old EXP Bears

[marc5961]

As suggested by DDave, I am attempting to move a post and responses from Trad History/Collecting>> One of a kind Bears by Bill Stewart to this thread. On 12-4-2014, I posted the following:

"Please bear with me, in that I have minimal knowledge about recurve bows. I am looking for info as the value of two recurve bows that I believe are Bear bows manufactured in the '60s. Neither have the “Bear” medallion. Both have some field use, but are in nearly new condition.

The first bow is inscribed “EXP#6 AMO – 68” 34#” with a Bear sight inset into the upper limb bearing the words BEAR and PAT. PEND. The bow has yellowish- white laminate on both the front and back sides – the yellow may be from aging.

The second bow is inscribed “EXP#7 AMO – 58” 40#”. In that the inscription appears to be in the same script as that above, I assume it also is a Bear bow. The bow has black or very, very dark green laminate on both the front and back sides."

I posted the following to provide images of the bows:

"I am unable to post images (not computer literate); but I was able to accomplish the feat this way. Hopefully this does not violate some rule or regulation.    http://imgur.com/a/VIOFq"

[damascusdave]

Marc thanks so much for acting on my suggestion...each of those bows would be a significant find I think...the fact you have two of them is truly amazing...and btw you did well for someone who professes to lack computer literacy

DDave

[zepnut]

Nice bows.

[damascusdave]

Gonna have to be patient with this one through the Christmas season...people are otherwise occupied

DDave

[Wade Phillips]

Marc -

The characteristics of your possible Bear Kodiak Special marked EXP#6, AMO-68”, 34#, are a bit of a conundrum.

The only characteristic you mention identifying the bow as a Bear bow, is the Bear Sight. Keep in mind the riser of any bow by any bowyer could have been routed out to accept this Bear sight.

The style of the lettering inscribed on the bow does not match the lettering on any Bear I remember seeing from the 1960s.

Although significantly different, the riser shape of your bow probably most closely matches the production 1966 Kodiak Special, which was made in 66” and 69” that year. Your bow is marked AMO-68”, a length the Bear Kodiak Special was not offered in the Bear catalog after 1960.

1967 was the last year the Kodiak Special was produced & offered in the Bear catalog.
 
However, 1968 is the first year that “AMO” appears on any of the Bear Bows that I have owned.

Why would 1968 AMO lettering appear on a possible 1966 type bow that was discontinued in 1967 and never made in 68” length after 1960?

Any possible explanation for this conundrum, would likely require considerable speculation.

[damascusdave]

Wow...I was hoping you would know something about the bows Wade...oh well we have been down this kind of puzzling road before

DDave

[Bjorn]

Amazing find Marc, and a great way to start!! Please don't try 'improve' the finish, a simple cleaning will suffice. Collectors will like the bigger, target bow for sure.