I just tonight acquired a Kodiak special and need some expert help identifying the year. It is 66" long, 40#, with a brownish colored star decal obscurring the middle one (or two ?) digits of the serial number...what can be seen is: 10A (then the star)and 41. I can see the "tip" of what could be a 7 or 3 under the top left edge of the star. Riser wood is Tigerwood and the medallion appears to be aluminum with the name and bear in black enamel. It has a red feather rest, no back plate. The face and back of the limbs have been painted an ugly camo, but I can see that the glass color on both sides (and on the front of the grip) is an Ivory color, rather than the green that I have seen in '61 and '62 catalog cuts, so I'm assuming it is either pre '61 or post '62. The bow is very solid and limbs are straight, but it is going to need a refinish....don't know if I can salvage the decals (can't see them under the camo)....any ideas where I can get them and the cost ? I've read that the star in the serial number (at least on Kodiaks with Bubinga risers) is an indication that the bow was one with "faulty" (improperly seasoned) wood that had been sent back to the factory and refinished, with the star meaning the bow was no longer under warranty (?). I don't know if the same applies to the Kodiak Special with Tigerwood (?). In refinishing, should I leave the star there or remove it ?
Any help, and additional info or insights, will be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Roger Allen