Please Help Identify this Bear

[Stykbowslim]

I have an older Bear bow... maybe 1949-51 era, with the "Running Bear" decal, double shelf, aluminum lamination under a layer of dark wood (maple?)on the back of the limbs, uni-directional glass on the belly of the limbs. The serial number is: P-3211B

After researching, I'm thinking it's a Kodiak, Grizzly or a Polar.

Thanks for your help...
Don

[wadde]

I am going to stick my neck out and say because your bow has the aluminum laminate and a double shelf it is a Grizzly. The aluminum was a bad idea and almost put the company out of business, most failed. I would not shoot it.

[Horney Toad]

Interesting, I didn't know they made any double shelf bows with aluminum lams. What is the length?

[wadde]

That was my concern. I know the 54 Grizzly had double shelfs but wasn't sure about that aluminum laminate that late. I know the 55 and 56 bows had two shelfs but no aluminum.

[wadde]

Does it have the built up brush guard tips?

[Stykbowslim]

Thanks guys... I'm not going to shoot or string it. It is one for my collection.

The bow is 64" long and no it does not have built up brush guard tips.

I believe the bow is pre-1953, as it has the "Pat Applied For" label.

Could it be an early 1951 double-shelf Grizzly ?

[Stykbowslim]

Rethinking... would the "P" in the Serial # stand for "Polar" ?

[d. ward]

The Bear Archery catalogs list the aluminum lams as ......1950 1951 Kodiak,64 inch 35#-100# 30 inch draw limit.The Kodiak listing DOES NOT specify right or left hand.....meaning the Kodiak was a double shelf built into the bow rather then a leather wedge stuck under the leather grip??????  next listed 1949-1951 Grizzly 62 inch 25#-75# 28 inch draw limit.And at the bottom of the add it says when ordering,specify right or left hand(it was a leather wedge stuck under the leather grip).Both the Kodiaks and Grizzlys are static tip.Next listed is the 1950 1951 Polar 62 inch 25#-75# 28" draw limit.And did not specify right or left hand..and again it was a leather wedge stuck under the leather grip....the Polar is also a straight limb bow......hope this helps ya out.....bowdoc

[Stykbowslim]

The bow has wedges under the leather grip... here's some pics

 
 
 
 

[d. ward]

Cool looking bow,that is most likely black cherry laminated to the aluninum....Are the limb tips straight or recurved.....bowdoc

[Stykbowslim]

Limb tips are straight...

[d. ward]

1950-1951 Bear Polar....bowdoc

[Stykbowslim]

Thanks bowdoc...