Questions about 57-57 Kodiak

[Orion]

Kind of went off the deep end and bought a Kodiak off the auction site.  I'm not a collector, yet, but like 50s style bows and thought it would make a good turkey bow so I bought it.  Don't know whether it's a 57 or 58, or maybe something else.  The fella who was selling it said he thought it was a 58, but wasn't sure because 58s supposedly have white glass and this one has brown glass.  Serial number is A over EB 154.  60 inches, 50#.  Very nice delicate tips.  Maple riser and limb laminations.  Can you tell me the year it might be?

Also, it appears to be in very good condition.  Very few minor scratches, no stress lines on the back and only one or two very minor short stress lines (not big enough to call them cracks) on the belly side above and below the grip.  Have to hold the bow in the bright sun to see them.  Limbs are straight.  If I shoot it, over time will these  belly stress lines likely enlarge, and is the bow likely to develop stress cracks on the back?.

Finally, the string the fella sent with it is about 53 1/2 inches long and yielded about a 9-10 inch brace height.  No doubt it's too short.  I built another string and have the brace set at about 7 1/8 plus now.  Is that about right?  Seems there is still some unnecessary vibration and noise at the shot.  (Yes, I have shot a few arrows through it.)  I bought this bow to shoot rather than put on the wall. However, if its condition and rarity (if it even is) merit collector status, I'd rather not be the one to ruin it.  I can always buy something else to shoot.  Appreciate whatever help you can provide.

[Novaln1975]

Well, I will let the experts talk but here is what I believe is a 58 from my bow rack.

 

-Simon

[Wade Phillips]

Orion - If you bought a brown glass, single shelf Kodiak, it is a 1957. It is a very common bow in the 60" length, and not a valuable collectible item. Tune it up and shoot it, you will like it. Light in the hand and a pleasure to carry in the field all day long. The exact bow was made with white glass, but is very uncommon. There are no brown glass 1958 sow belly Kodiaks that I have ever heard of.

Simon - You have a very nice 1958 Kodiak with a rounded corner sight window. Above the grip, on the belly side the sight window protrudes, thus the name sow belly.

The sow belly was shown in the 1958 Catalog with a scalloped sight window. Although your exact bow with the rounded corner sight window was not shown in the 1958 Catalog, it is actually the most common of the three distinctively different white glass Kodiaks.

[Orion]

Thanks, Wade.  That's what it is.  Brown glass, single shelf, not a sow belly.  Already have a new 14 strand dacron string on it, with woolie whispers.  Slapped a rug rest over the original thin leather rest.  Quiet, and I'm amazed at its speed for its weight, which on my scale is about 1 1/2# more than marked.  Seems to like about 7 1/4 inch brace height.

I've been shooting sticks for about 50 years, but some of these nice Bears excaped my attention and/or budget back then.  Lots of experience and good info presented in this forum.

Very nice bow Simon.