Some interesting Bear bows and misc.

[johnnyrazorhead]

Still trying to master this photobucket thing.I couldn't find a previous post about some cool old bows that I wanted to post some pics on.Trap said he would help but I think I've got this figured out somewhat.So here's a few mor photos of some cool stuff I have in my "bowroom".Lets see what you've got.First is a picture of some heavyweight Bear Kodiaks I have.One is a left-hand 1959 Kodiak at a whopping 123#.Next is a 1960 Kodiak,90# with no coin.And last is a 1960 Kodiak Deluxe at 100#.All three bows have the wedge sight window.Hope the pics work.
  http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr118/johnnyrazorhead/oddballheavyweightsspecs.jpg

[johnnyrazorhead]

Well,it almost worked.Lets try this one.Here's one of the risers of the three bows mentioned.
   

[johnnyrazorhead]

Alright,here's the first photo again.
 

[d. ward]

Those are cool John.Have you ever shot any of them..bowdoc

[johnnyrazorhead]

This next bow is really cool.It's a 1963 Type I Dogleg Kodiak Magnum.These are rare enough due to the fact that Bear recalled most of them because of design flaws.This one came out of R&D at Bear Archery in Grayling and I believe was one of Fred's earliest attempts at the take-down bow(besides the 1940's latch found on some longbows from that era)I have seen photos from 1967 of Fred hunting with one of his early proto-type,three-piece latch system take-down bows that we are all familiar with.Those weren't shown in the Bear catalog until 1970.This Magnum utilizes a two-peg system with a single bolt used to keep the two sections of the bow together.It works very well but an allen wrench is still required to assemble and disassemble the bow and I believe,and have been told by people that worked for Fred,that he wanted a true take-down bow,no tools required,not a take-apart bow such as this.The bow has a sticker on it simply marked "EXP" and was aquired with other bows similarly marked.Fred was always experimenting.

[johnnyrazorhead]

Oops.Wrong picture."Bear" with me on this photobucket stuff.
 

[johnnyrazorhead]

Here it is apart.Pretty cool.Inside where the two sections butt together is written Groves,Patent Pending.
   

[d. ward]

Oh yeah the groves take down system..bowdoc

[johnnyrazorhead]

This next one is obviously not a Bear bow but my preference for all things Bear is evident in the beautiful antler limb bolts I had custom made for my Firefly longbow made by my good friend Jim Jones.
 

[alaskabowhunter]

WOW!, those are some great bows John,  very unique. You really have some true collectibles, real eye candy too! I hope you and your family have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Years!! Chuck

[TRAP]

Great bows John, truly all one-of-a-kinds.  

Thanks for sharing.

Do you know any history of the manly men that special ordered and shot those heavyweights originally?

Trap

[hormoan]

[johnnyrazorhead]

Here's another one of my favorite bows.It's a minty 1955 Kodiak that wasgiven to a good friend of Fred Bear's and personally signed and dated to him in 1955.His name was Basil Hughes and he was a Conservation Officer here in Michigan I believe and hunted with Fred at Grousehaven.Also shown is one of Basil Hughes hunting  arrows.
 

[johnnyrazorhead]

This next bow is a real oddball!It was made a Michigan bowyer named Jim Hodek.He passed away back in the 1970's but I was told he was a fantastic woodworker.I don't think this bow would be a very smooth shooter but he was definitely showing off his craftsmanship.Just look at that riser.The limbs are backed with glass.This bow was made back in the 1950's.
   

[johnnyrazorhead]

Here's a picture of one of the limb tips.WOW!!
   

[johnnyrazorhead]

Here's another one of my favorite bows.It's a minty 1955 Kodiak that wasgiven to a good friend of Fred Bear's and personally signed and dated to him in 1955.His name was Basil Hughes and he was a Conservation Officer here in Michigan I believe and hunted with Fred at Grousehaven.Also shown is one of Basil Hughes hunting  arrows.
 

[johnnyrazorhead]

Sorry for the double post.I was reading some of the comments and was going to reply and somehow re-posted a picture.Sorry!.Trap,I don't know any history on those heavy-weight Kodiaks and the animals that special ordered them.Wish I knew more,it would be interesting.Imagine ordering a 123# bow.Lets see what you all got stashed away.No fun if you can't share it.

[TRAP]

Thank You John and Bill, and here are a few of mine

 
 
 
 
 

It's not fun if you cant share them.  

Trap

[johnnyrazorhead]

Beautiful!! Now that's what I'm talkin' about.Keep 'em comin'.

[PAPALAPIN]

Thanks for sharing John.

I had no idea that some of those existed.