Bear "Black Bear" recurve

[Michael Salter]

I recently purchased a Bear "Black Bear" recurve (not the later compound of the same name). I know it was a very basic starter bow, but I am stoked to have a Grayling Bear in my hands. The serial number is KL11386, the shop owner where I purchased it thought it might be from 1976-77 era.

I would love to get any more info on the bow but I don't want to break any forum rules. I would gladly pay for a photocopy of a Bear catalog page of this bow or a photocopy of an owners manual as well as postage.

I never plan to sell the bow, and if I have to make it a "wallhanger", so be it. But it shoots very well and I have read of folks still using Bear originals from the 1950's and 1960's. So I'm hoping this bow is of high enough quality to continue shooting it and even hunting with it.

Any information would be most appreciated. Thank you.

[Blackhawk]

Those Black Bears are good bows and great shooters, and the dates you got are right.  I think they were all 60".  Values are pretty low for the bow, but I consider them a good deal these days.

Sorry, but cannot help you with copies you wanted.

[Jack Shanks]

Black Bear 60" recurves were made 1972-76. 58" 1977 and 52" 78-79. I've owned a few. Not a real sought after collector model and I wouldn't hesitate to shoot it all you want.

[Blackhawk]

Interesting info Jack.  

I suppose that 52" made in 78-79 was temporary replacement for the Magnum after moving to Gainesville?

...and a 58" in 1977 to replace/support the Grizzly?

I can only remember those maple handled 60" versions.

[Jack Shanks]

Lon,

 You could be right about them being replacements of the other models but I have no knowledge of it.