Bear recurves

[Droptine26]

I have 3 older bear recurves, just looking for some info on the date of manufacture and approx. value.  I figure there are probably some experts on here who could help or get me pointed in the right direction.
Here's what I have:
Bear Polar. S/N 22AB74   56" 18#@24"
Kodiak Magnum KU-05765. 52" 45#@28"
Grizzly  KP56937. 58" 50#@28"

[Blackhawk]

Your K. Mag. and Grizzly are from the 1970's where serial # began with a "K".  

(Most likely the Grizzly serial is a KR and not a KP).

Values for those in good shape run around $150, but could be bit more or less depending on certain factors.

I will leave that Polar to someone else, but if there's a coin in the riser, then ....maybe?

[Droptine26]

You're right, it is a P, there is a lamination running thru it that made it look like a R.
The Polar does have what looks to be a pewter coin with the Bear emblem on it. It was painted black but some the paint has flaked off.

[warpedarrow]

If the Polar has a zebra wood riser and light yellow glass it is a 1962.  If it has a Bubinga riser and zebra wood sight window with light yellow glass it is a 63, but I believe most 63s had a gold colored coin.

[Blackhawk]

Hey warpedarrow, is that 56" an odd duck or was it pretty common?

Coin description sounds like a '62 to me.

D26, it would be a KR and not a KP.

[dbd870]

Do the 70's vintage bows have the 1953 date on the limb?

[rb61]

I have a Polar that has no Zebrawood in the riser and has a coin that is painted black. The laminate is the blue/green color. It has been identified as a 1961.

[warpedarrow]

Blackhawk

I think that 56" is probably a bit rare as it was designed for women.   The Polars by that year were morphing into target bows. I have a 62, and 63 and they are 66". 61 catalog says 66",  62 catalog says 66" and also a "power packed 56" for the ladies.  56" bow was measured at 24".  I also have a Polar that I need to nail down the year on.  It is a smaller gripped bow much like the 62 Grizzly or 60 Kodiak.  Butcher block sight window and riser looks to be Bubinga.  Glass is yellowed white or very light yellow.  It is a 64" bow at 37#. It looks just like the Polar shown in the 1961 catalog.  The bow in the picture does not show a blue glass.  ???  It really is a sharp looking bow with the looks of the 59 through 61 Kodiak and Grizzly.

rb61. The 61 Polar was Bubinga wood with "ice blue" glass.

[Droptine26]

The handle wood is zebra and the glass is a yellowish white color

[Horney Toad]

the 1962 polars were zebrawood coming in 56 and 66". Really pretty bows.

[Droptine26]

Thanks for all of your help. I knew I could count on Trad Gangers to have the info!

[damascusdave]

If you go to archery history.com there is an ad for the 1962 Polar

DDave