50 Years Ago

[Winterhawk1960]

I am posting this here for those of you that don't get over to the "Collectors Forum" much to be able to see what kind of creations were dreamed up by bowyers a half-century ago.

I have had the pleasure to have own(ed) and shot some of the most beautiful creations by todays bowyers. While not taking anything away from their performance and craftsmanship it amazes me that going back in time 50 years and looking at some of the creations that were mass produced a half-century ago are just as beautiful and user friendly as today's bows are.

I just recently got "bitten" by the "vintage bug" and have been lucky enough to acquire two bows that were built by Bear Archery in the same year that I was born. My most recent acquisition is a 66" Kodiak Special "Deluxe" that is 44# @ 28". It has been refinished by someone, I haven't a clue as to who......but they did a fantastic job.

I'm not going to take up space by posting the pictures again over here on the Pow Wow, but if you want to see the craftsmanship that came from Bear Archery 50 years ago.....check out this link.

To say that I am proud of my '60 Kodiak Special and my '60 Kodiak Special Deluxe would be the understatement of the decade. The shoot-ability (if that is even a word) is unbelievable, and the looks of both of them is too.

 http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=14;t=004212

Winterhawk1960

[MnFn]

Yes, the workmanship of the bows from 50 years ago is very, very nice. I have had three, a Bear Supermag 48" 45#, a Shakespeare 40# Wonderbow, and a Cheetah 60# (I think by American Archery).  I gave my son the Cheetah for an elk hunt we went on last year.

I have pretty much quit on the recurves and hunt soley with longbow hybrids now, but do still appreciate the craftsmanship.

[Brently]

I really like the old bows too.  I have a 56 kodiak (same yr as me), it is light, narrow, thin grip, low wrist, just feels good in the hand.  Sure beats the heavy handle bows of later make.

[fnshtr]

Don,

I happened upon a '55 model bear several years ago that really got me to thinkin'. It was 45# and could be shot right OR left handed. I'd have to say that's what got me back into "trad" equipment.

A co-worker offered it to me for $30, thinking that he was "taking me". I sold it to a collector a few months later for $175 (we both got a good deal).

Love the old bows! (Wished I hadn't sold it now.)

Wayne

[Mudd]

One of the bows from yesteryear that will never be forgotten by me is now in the hands of a young man(David) in North Carolina, the nephew of nc recureveman.

The bow is one that was made by Wing for JC Penny and if memory serves me correctly it's 60" and 47 or 49@28.

Her name is "Sweetness" and never a bow shall have a more deserved name. She's long and lean with a figure that is just appealing to the eye but even sweeter to the touch.

Maybe I'll go through all of my archived photos and look for her picture so you can see that it's true and not just the sentimental ramblings of another old romantic archer. Or perhaps NC Recurveman can be persuaded to get a picture of her and her new owner posted to here.(Please!)

I have seen a few of the older bows made similar to "Sweetness". I think of them as longcurves much like the new 60" bow that Mike Mecredey of Maddog Archery has added into his line of bows.

At least I can no longer say "They don't make them like that any more!"...lol

God bless,Mudd

[Jack Shanks]

Don,

 A word of advice, get to a doctor and see if the there is a cure for being bitten by the Bear bug.

 Up until January of this year I had three Bear bows. I answered a craigslist add for some more old Bear bows and somehow got bitten while there. I just counted all the Bears around the house yesterday before I went to look at some more in another craigslist add. I counted 95 and now 96 after I returned home. I have had more at one time but thinned out some duplicates recently. It hurts but it's all part of the healing process.