Early Stamped Bear Archery Selfbow---Help

[tippit]

I guess I've had this bow for some years now but never really looked at til today    It appears to be an early stamped Bear Archery selfbow with a pea greenish fiber backing which you can see is peeled off at the tip.  

It also appears to possibly be osage but the grain is running opposite as to how you would make a selfbow.  You can see the grain on the belly under the Bear Archery stamp.  It's definitely not lemonwood with the distinct grain pattern.  

I would assume it is between the Grumley era and early fiberglass era.  Any help in identifying it would be appreciated...Doc

 

There is an FJ stamp above the leather riser wrap.

   

 

 

 

 

[alaskabowhunter]

made in Detroit Michigan in the 1940's. "fJ" designates that it is a 60# bow.

[alaskabowhunter]

oh I forgot, I believe it is made of lemonwood.

[tippit]

Thanks for the input...Doc

[d. ward]

Doc is your bow 62-64 or 66 inches long.The 66 is a Field Bow-hickory and has fortisan back yew center and osage face....the 62 and 64 inch is layers lemon wood with hickory and fiber backing.The lemon wood is used on edge grain...FJ is 60 as Chuck mentioned.I believe that Bear Archery stamp was broken around 1942 so it would have been around then..............bowdoc

[tippit]

Bowdoc, It is 64" edge grain but only a single layer of I guess lemonwood without a hickory backing just fiber back.  Thanks for the info...this bow is even older than me!  Must be pre-dirt as I'm older than dirt...Doc

[d. ward]

Here is the correct info..date ??? = broken stamp...But anywho...from the Bear catalog it's an early 1940's....Bear Ranger for those who want a low priced hunting bow that will give good service...Fibre-backed one piece Lemonwood,five foot four inches long.Wide and flat 35 to 65 pounds order number LI-4 cost $16.00.Thats from the 1947's catalog but your bow was manufactured before 1947....I think the stamp was broken before then(I will double check with Bill today and see if he can remember).Purty or is that pretty neet bow...bowdoc