How many bows did bear archery make in there hayday

[Cody Roiter]

Hello guys, dose some one know the number of bows bear archery made in there hayday in the 50s,-late 80s before compounds ?? I know for every one bow they made about 3doz arrows.

And any other info would be great thanks guys,

Cody  

[d. ward]

Well we could start with 12,500 in 1958....bowdoc

[Cody Roiter]

damn thats a lot of bows made in just one year thanks doc.

[PAPALAPIN]

LOTS...MANY...BEAUCOUP

Probably more than any other manufacturer...besides Pearson.

[TRAP]

I read somewhere that Bear Archery produced between 30,000 and 40,000 Kodiak Magnums per year throughout most of the 60s.  Could this be true?  That seems like an extreme amount with the other models being produced as well.

Seems like alot to me, but heck I have no idea and don't remember the source where I read it.

Trap

[kenscollick]

how about 360,000 in 1976

No i dont have fat fingers 360,000

 http://www.fredbear-online.com/bowmaking.html

[kurtbel5]

Jeez
That means there is hope for us all to have the ones we want!! Well, maybe for 1976 LOL.

Wonder how many Archery hunting licenses were sold in 1976

I have no idea if Traps #'s are right, but 3x9 = 27
wouldn't that be 270,000 (I suck at math) for the 60's? even cut in 1/2 that is a crap load of KM's + all the other models.

How many employee's did Fred have in the 60's??

[PAPALAPIN]

Why do you guys think that there is an almost endless supply of bows on e8ay...because there were som many made.  

Imagine how many great old bows are sitting in attics somewhere just waiting to be found and put up for auction, sold to pawn shops, or at garage and estate sales.  Somewhere, gathering dust in some dank, damp garage or shed, there is a bow that is going to end up hanging on my wall.  Can't wait to get it.    

I may be wrong here, but I aleasy heard that Person made more bows than Bear.  They were not as good quality, or at least not as popular, but Pearson kept it's share of the market in sheare numbers.

[d. ward]

Me and KS are correct for sure.I've seem those 2 years in print.So from 12,500 in 1958 to 360,000 in 1976.Richie is correct also.One reason its really hard to track.Is companies back then really kept poor records for one thing fire and whatnot and they also gave away and donated lots of bows plus buckets of salesmens samples.Not recorded eather.They also for some reason duplacated lots of numbers some years...Hideing from uncle sam maybe ???? bd

[Drywood]

I am speaking of Fred Bear Kodiak Mags. I follow 1961,62,63 and 64 but they are a puzzle yet .But 1965 5M13 is the lowest and 5M6864 highest.
             1966 6M18 is the lowest and 5M8002 highest
             1967 7U276 is the lowest and 7U8798 highest
            1968 8U35  is the lowest and  8U9518 highest
            1969 9U85  is the lowest and 9U16,517 highest
      I think you can tell the 1970 ,71 and 72 apart.
            1970 1 to 38,275 with long overlays
            1971 1 to about 34,000 they did not start over on January 1 so it starts 34,001
            1972 34,001 to about 72,246 .
     the 71 and 72 are short overlays and option screw.
What do you think of my guess ?

[Lucas K]

Are these the highest and lowest serial numbers you have found to date? (Nice work on the ten year old thread!)

[Drywood]

 Hi
   Well that is just me. I had a operation on my right rotor cuff .With time on my hands I became interested In Bear Bows ,then 1949 to 1964 because everyone said the numbers can not be understood . I collect Kodiak Mags but any time I see a Grizzly,Kodiak,Polar or Cub for  sale on the internet I figure out what year it is  .Then I copy down the number. On the idea that with a mass of numbers a pattern will be seen.Some think its odd, some like the idea .
        Thanks

[seboomook]

Thanks for bringing up an old thread. Enjoyed seeing older posts from the heydey.
Serial numbers are a Morass, as they changed monthly and annually with overlap by year, and no documentation from Bear Archery until 1964.
Search out posts from poster Wade Phillips. He describes changes by riser and glass changes year to year. This will be as close as it gets. Lots there for your recuperation.