Author Topic: Bear Kodiak Specials 1955-1967 Identification Guide (Read 28158 times)

Hoof · « **Reply #120 on:** August 01, 2009, 01:00:00 PM »

Wade dont know if this thread still has interest but, I picked up one with nice grain and some extra thin black laminations that I dont see on my other Kodiak Specials and underlays. XA523 66" #55

Wade Phillips · « **Reply #121 on:** August 01, 2009, 11:54:00 PM »

Hoof - Just added your XA523 66" #55 to the list on the first page.

By extra thin black laminations, to you mean on the riser and tip overlays. That tapered shape can vary a lot giving the impression of a different thickness. Actual thickness could be different too.

Can you post a photograph of them?

Hoof · « **Reply #122 on:** August 02, 2009, 05:41:00 PM »

I took a few pics I'm sure you will spot it. Of the few Specials that I have, this one is the lightest color phase of the group, and the highest poundage bow of the group. The tips and underlays look pretty standard.

Wade Phillips · « **Reply #123 on:** August 02, 2009, 08:46:00 PM »

Hoof - The riser slabs are golden rosewood. There was thread that Doc started a few months ago and a few of us posted 59 KS with this wood.

On a 59 KS, have never seen the black accent stripe before. It appears to have an irregular width, like paint, on your far left photograph, enlarged below. It may be the lighting and irregular surface on the wood. Has the bow been refinished? The coin doesn't look like it has 50 years of patina. Can you post photographs of the end of the riser where the black line fades into the limb laminations, both sides of the top and bottom fade outs?

Hoof · « **Reply #124 on:** August 02, 2009, 10:49:00 PM »

Actually Wade the bow hasnt been refinished yet, but the coin I hit with some of the Eagle One I mentioned in an earlier post. The bow is far from perfect and needs a face lift IMO.
Yes the patina was there and plenty dark too...If the tips had been in better shape I would have left the coin alone. There was something on the coin and needed to go. The limbs have some speckles from overspray of some kind and the tips are in need of repair also. But it is another beautiful piece waiting to be brought back to life. It has got some nice grain... I will get the pics you requested posted up tomorrow evening after I get home from the relentless grind of work. Talk to you tomorrow... Hoof

Wade Phillips · « **Reply #125 on:** August 03, 2009, 12:17:00 AM »

For unusual features like that, its a shame to refinish the bow. That is always a tough decision.

Hoof · « **Reply #126 on:** August 03, 2009, 08:24:00 PM »

Wade I hear you on the refinishing,but both tips are seperated and someone then tried to glue them back on and looks really bad...If the tips were tight I would have never even touched the coin,Other than that its not too bad a shape. From left to right the upper coin side, lower coin side,upper shelf side,lower shelf side.I hope these help.

Wade Phillips · « **Reply #127 on:** August 03, 2009, 09:28:00 PM »

Hoof - Thanks for posting the photographs of the fade outs. Certainly doesn't look like anyone painted those black lines! Seems to be never ending all the little things that varied on some Bear bows. Yes, it is a shame about the loose tips on many 1959s. That marcarta just doesn't hold up like glass. Best to get them replaced so they will hold up especially at 55#. You will have to post photographs after it is refinished. The black accent may stand out more against the refinished maple laminations. Hopefully the refinisher will be able to determine what the black accents are, or have you figured out already?

Hoof · « **Reply #128 on:** August 03, 2009, 10:35:00 PM »

Heck Wade I havent a clue on the black accent, If you have any idea's I'm all ears. I will post some pics when it's reworked. I just notice that it was a little different than I've seen so far... Just a shame it wasnt cared for more in the past.

jcar315 · « **Reply #129 on:** August 04, 2009, 09:50:00 AM »

Chris, Super nice example of a KS. I have a 1955 model and love the way it handles and shoots. In my very limited exposure I haven't seen one like yours. Are you going to tackle the refinish yourself?

Wade, Did Bear employees have "free rein" to do these type of things? Was it a what "feels right" or like some of the painted limbs done for some reason. Just curious.

Thanks John

Wade Phillips · « **Reply #130 on:** August 04, 2009, 01:46:00 PM »

John - Like all factories, Bear was in business to make money so did things like paint glass, and use odd lots of wood for some bows or parts of bows.

As collectors we have a need to put everything in its own little category, but the truth of the matter is a lot of exceptions were made from the norm. Some on purpose and some by rouge employees to make something different to sneek out the back door and others as just plain goof ups.

If Bear had left over coins of one type and the type of coined changed the next year, they did not throw the old coins away, they were all used. Same with wood and glass. They found a way to use it.

Anyone who had worked around a factory will tell you that when the boss is not looking over their shoulder, some employees do a lot of things that are not sanctioned by the company.

Hoof · « **Reply #131 on:** August 06, 2009, 09:52:00 AM »

Wade - The coin appears brass rather than copper,when I polished it I noticed it didnt have the same appearance as the other Copper coins I have.It has to be copper though even though it has a shiney gold look to it,which really goes well with the Golden Rosewood and lighter tones. But as youve have shown us that coin dont really tell a thing about the bow, other than many "non-standard" things happened at the factory. Almost forgot I have a 59' WD438, 64",#50 no underlays. Which falls in line with the current trend on your list.

minnesota_hunter · « **Reply #132 on:** August 11, 2009, 05:18:00 PM »

are you still adding to the list of 59s? if you are, I have a couple i can add
66" 42# XF074 no underlay
64" 45# WB998 no underlays

Wade Phillips · « **Reply #133 on:** August 12, 2009, 12:05:00 AM »

minnesota_hunter - Thanks for posting the information on your two Kodiak Specials. I just edited the list on the first page.

TimberlineX · « **Reply #134 on:** August 12, 2009, 11:06:00 AM »

Here’s a very early Kodiak Special that doesn’t quite seem to fit the established year/model pattern.

It has the same brown glass on both the back and the belly, and the serial number is a bit odd, making me wonder if it wasn’t some sort of special order bow.

The limb tips do seem to be very well done.

I’m guessing 1955 or 1956, although the limb glass color is throwing me. What do you guys think? What is this bow? (While not in great shape, this bow is available for trade or sale.)

seboomook · « **Reply #135 on:** August 12, 2009, 11:31:00 AM »

With the sight window,silkscreens and solid accent stripe as clues, I'm thinking 1956.Hard to tell from the pic lighting, is the glass not normal brown and gray?
wouldnt any deviation from 28" draw be a special order bow also?

TimberlineX · « **Reply #136 on:** August 12, 2009, 11:40:00 AM »

The glass is the exact same brown glass on the back and the belly of the limbs. No gray glass whatsoever. Thus the mystery.

Wade Phillips · « **Reply #137 on:** August 12, 2009, 12:31:00 PM »

Bill -

At first I thought it was a 56 when I sent you PM. But having looked at the bow again, I see that it was actually built on a 1957 Kodiak Special form with a much longer riser.

Can you measure the bow to determine its exact length?

TimberlineX · « **Reply #138 on:** August 12, 2009, 12:42:00 PM »

Wade,

Sure, I can take measurements this evening and report back in the morning. What exact measurements would you like? Any additional photos?

Bill

Mikenmn · « **Reply #139 on:** August 12, 2009, 12:58:00 PM »

Here is another to add to the list.
59 KS 64" 32# WA728 underlays

Mike

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Author Topic: Bear Kodiak Specials 1955-1967 Identification Guide (Read 28158 times)

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