Bear B Wood Risers - Serial Numbers - 1969-1972

[CrookedStick]

List Updated: 1/9/2011

OK guys, let 'er rip.  Here is your B riser thread.  By setting a new topic, it's better for the search engines.

I'll start another for the C Risers and maybe one for the limbs, just have patience with me to get the numbers all tallied from your posts.

This is going to be fun!

Bernie

Known B-Riser configurations:


B-Riser - Original Finish, LH, Early model, thick grip B-riser - no factory serial number - via Bowdoc's ledger

B-01630 - LH, no other details - via Bowdoc's ledger
B-1075 - Original Finish, RH, no stab ins, Both Brown Bears
B-1101 - no stab ins, copper coin installed by Bowdoc, early thin sockets-had to seat sockets with hammer and block of wood - via Bowdoc's ledger
B-1154 - Restored, lower brown bear missing at time of restore, via Bowdoc's ledger
B-1160 - RH, some repairs, some sight holes, latch bears, listed on online auction as early 1969 Type 1. Original case
B-1244 - RH Jim G from Michigan added it for a friend
B-1279 - RH, no stab ins, small 'B' stamped next to s.n. - Johnnyrazorhead
B-1291 - Bowdoc purchased 2011
B-1336 - Original Finish, LH, Early thick-grip model, no stab ins, Ser#(in gold), both bears - Cacciatore is new owner Dec. 2011
B-1390 - Original Finish, RH, stab ins, “Fred Bear” sig – Wade Phillips sold
B-1425 - Getting Restored, purchased in 1969 - Bill Kissner
B-1443 - RH, Original Finish, listed on auction site from Saginaw, MI, Type 1, no holes, no stab. bushing, brown bears
B-1471 - no details - Alaskabowhunter
B-1489 - LH - via Bowdoc's ledger
B-1494 - NancyVTAS, no other info
B-1499 - Restored, LH?, no more details - via Bowdoc's ledger
B-1513 - Original Finish, RH, inlaid sight, two sets of limbs - noted by Steven Russell, seen on vacation
B-1568 - no details, Bowdoc thinks it's a total restoration - via Bowdoc's ledger
B-1572 - New in box purchased May 2011 - Mooseran,
B-1600 - RH, stab ins., "Fred Bear 1982" sig - Johnnyrazorhead
B-1630 - RH, no details - Grant Young
B-1634 - stab ins - via Bowdoc's ledger
B-1641 - Original Finish, RH, brown bears, Riser cut for sight, stab ins and quiver insert - Wasapt
B-1723 - RH, Original Finish, mint condition, original calf hair strike plate and rug rest - Vintage-Bears
B-1745 - Original Finish, RH, brown bears, signed by Fred Bear - Lamont Granger
B-1750 - LH, stab ins, adjustable arrow plate - Moooseran
B-1831 - now owned by Shick, no other info
B-1861 - Original Finish, RH, stab ins, “Glenn St. Charles” sig, note: BD ledger says this bow had two holes on coin side in 2002 – Wade’s friend and Bowdoc's ledger
B-1878 - no details - via Bowdoc's ledger
B-1958 - RH, this is cool my note to myself reads many holes - via Bowdoc's ledger
B-1970 - RH, centershot cut by Bear in the 70s - Bowdoc
B-2022 - RH, Original Finish?, Limb serial #s match riser, 2022 - Sam E. Stephens
B-2034 - no details - via Bowdoc's ledger
B-2072 - Fred Bear sig, formerly owned by Johnnyrazorhead (he thinks) - also via Bowdoc's ledger
B-2075 - RH, Original Finish, Type II with Fred's grip, from auction listing
B-2098 - Restored, LH?, no details, via Bowdoc's ledger
B-2115 - Type 2, RH, stab ins, factory sight window - Moooseran
B-2131 - Last serial number for 1970 according to Frank Scott's s.n. ledger
B-2161 - From online auction listing, adjustable plate filled in with bondo?, Original box, no other info
B-2198 - Original Finish, RH, stab. bushing, quiver inserts, adj. side plate, w/2 sets of white tip limbs and original case - Red Dwarf
B-2200 - no details - Al Reader via Bowdoc's ledger
B-2226 - no details - via Bowdoc's ledger
B-2242 - Restored, LH?, '59 Kodiak copper coin - Al Reader via Bowdoc's ledger
B-2275 - no details - via Bowdoc's ledger
B-2281 - Type 2, RH, no details - Grant Young
B-2285 – Type 2, Original Finish, RH, spr side plt – Wade’s friend
B-2344 – Type 2, Original Finish, RH, stab ins, inlayed Bear sight – Wade’s friend
B-2348 - Last serial number for 1971 according to Frank Scott's s.n. ledger
B-2404 - odd duck, original white lettering for serial number, no other details - via Bowdoc's ledger
B-2489 - flush-mounted brass coin, black and tan - via Bowdoc's ledger 1972

1970(fat grip) B around 2002-2003 with no serial number. Half the original finish removed along with the serial number - via Bowdoc's ledger

[FBB]

I've never posted any pics so I won't try now.
B-1075, Original Finish, Both Brown Bears, No Stabilizer bushing. I'm hoping that it's a 1970 but any input on the date of manufacture would be appreciated.

Dave R.

[Wade Phillips]

FBB - Your B-1075 is an early one and made well before the end of 1970.

Frank Scott's ledger of Bear Serial Numbers shows the ending serial numbers for these two years...

1970
A-2141
B-2131
C-1860

1971
A-2277
B-2348
C-2262

1972 & 1973 Frank did not record serial numbers for any bows in this ledger

Bernie - These will help get you off to a start. Thanks again for all of your work on this project.

B-1390 - Original Finish, RH, stab ins, “Fred Bear” sig – Wade Phillips sold
B-1861 - Original Finish, RH, stab ins, “Glenn St. Charles” sig – Wade’s friend
B-2285 – Type 2, Original Finish, RH, spr side plt – Wade’s friend
B-2344 – Type 2, Original Finish, RH, stab ins, inlayed Bear sight – Wade’s friend

[CrookedStick]

Hey FBB,

Wow, great number! Let's see if our research eventually shows if yours was possibly the 75th handle made.  We'll see.

By the way, is it right hand or left hand?

Bernie

[d. ward]

dang this is gonna be fun for sure.I better dig out my other ledgers for this one yahoo.bd

[Wade Phillips]

Bernie -

I believe my name should be removed and Frank Scott's should replace mine for the serial number ledger. Frank was the one who gave me a copy of the information that he compiled from the Bear records.

B-2131- Last serial number for 1970 according to Frank Scott's s.n. ledger

I sure don't want anyone to get the impression that I ever put together a serial number ledger for Bear Bows.

Doc - Yes, I'm sure this one will be lots of fun.

[jcar315]

Wade, Not sure which thread to post this but as a relative newcomer I just had some general questions about the Bear TD. Which is the most collectible? A/B/C? What are the differences between them? I am LH and was wondering if there was some sense to the distribution between LH and RH? If I am going to dream about one of these I want to be sure I am dreaming the right dream! Thanks and would welcome any input. don't mean to hijack the thread here but was curious. John

[Wade Phillips]

John - It is a toss up which is most collectible the A or B. The correct answer is probably "both". Some guys like the A because of its lighter weight and because it makes a shorter bow 56", 58" or 60" depending on the limbs used. Some guys like the B which makes a 60", 62" or "64" bow. Fred used a B which helps its popularity. The C is a target bow 66", 68", 70" and is generally considered the least collectible. For first year bows, the C frequently sells for 1/4 to 1/2 of what the A or B generally sell for. Prices can go off the chart for the truly exceptional examples.

On tape, Fred referred to the system as the "Ultimate Takedown", which it would be hard for anyone to argue against because of its ease of use and flexibility.

To my limited knowledge, exact distribution of RH to LH was never published by Bear. This thread will probably give us the best insight into a realistic percentage of that distribution. My prediction is LH will prove to be roughly some where in the 5-20 percent range of the total (give or take 100% of course). LOL.

Al Reader was the ultimate Bear Wood Riser collector. Al knew more about the wood risers than everybody put together that I ever met. He could have given you a realistic answer to your RH/LH question. Al had all the variations of the wood risers in RH and LH. Al's Bear Takedown collection was unparalleled.

If you want your dream about owning a LH to become reality, you probably have to be realistic about the prices that LH models have recently sold for.

[johnnyrazorhead]

Bernie-Here's my contribution to the B-handle thread.I just have to include pictures though.I love to see 'em.I also once owned a type II B-riser signed by Fred but sold it.It was serial # B-2072 if I remember correctly.The two pictured are:
 1)Type I,serial #B-1600,stab. bushing,signed by Fred 1982
 2)Type I,serial #B-1279 no stab.bushing.Small "B" stamped next to serial #
 
 
 

[cacciatore]

Thanks for the pics Johnny.I know that they all look alike but it nice to have pics of everyone,you see the pride of the owner in the presentation,I think.Felix

[Wade Phillips]

John - Great photographs. I love the colors of 1279, but Fred's signature really stands out on the light colored 1600.

But sure to also post of the photographs of these risers after you added the compasses.

You have added the compasses, right?

[johnnyrazorhead]

Wade- I agree with the coloring.I really like the darker orange-ish color of alot of the take-downs but I remember when I bought the signed one that I really didn't expect it to be so light in color but it really makes the black signature stand out.I was pleasantly surprised to say the least when I pulled that one out of the box.
 I'm thinking of putting the compass right next to Fred's signature on that one.LOL

[Wade Phillips]

John - If you want to make it like Fred's you'll have to chop down that shelf and alter that riser quite a bit.

[Cody Roiter]

If I got myself a T/D riser that would be the first thing I would down is chop it down and alter the riser.. I all ways like the arrow rest close to my hand.. Wade is that the reason Mr. Bear did that.. I have shot a few risers thats where not altered I do like them. Then I shot the same Riser size I am thinking it was a B riser.. That was alter and chop down the riser was Like Mr.Bear's I have to say I like it better and shot better for me anyways,

Cody

[FBB]

Bernie,

  B-1075 is a RH. Also this is a little off the subject but since we're all talking about Takedowns I need a set of #1 limbs in the 55lb range +/- a few lbs so that I can hunt with it this fall.I have been using a set from my green stripe but it just doesn't seem right. If anyone has a set or knows someone who does could you drop me a PM.

[jcar315]

Wade, Thanks so much for the info. I now have expanded my TD knowledge base by 100%! I am now going to keep my eyes open for a LH A or B riser. Not to be too dumb but are there "special" limbs that came only with the TD?Thank you so much for the education!

John, Two beautiful bows to say the least! The signed one really POPS!

[johnnyrazorhead]

Wade- Yes,I do keep considering lowering the shelf like Fred's bow,I just can't bring myself to doing it on an all original,no holes riser.Maybe if I find one that is less than perfect I would have it done.Grant Young's riser is similar to Fred's and he says it shoots great.I imagine getting the arrow as close to the bow hand as possible can only help and Lord knows I need all the help I can get.
 John(jcar)-Yes,that signed riser really does jump out at you.I like it alot.Really cool to be shooting it and looking down at that signature and just knowing Fred Bear had that riser in his hands.Very special.

[Lamont Granger]

johnnyrazorhead, do you know what the "B" implies that is stamped after your s/n on the B riser?  I have the same stamping on my LH A.
Lamont

[johnnyrazorhead]

Lamont-I don't know for certain what that "B" implies.I got the bow from a former Bear employee in Grayling.If it's blemished I don't see where.I don't know if it was marked that way as a "discount" for Bear employees or if it was blemished in some way.It shoots,works,and looks perfect.I was hoping someone could enlighten me as well.

[Hud]

Fred shot a lower cut shelf which resembles the older style bows he was accustom to shooting. Many "instinctive" shooters find it easier to get the arrow shaft lower, which is similar to pointing your index finger at an object. He shot my visualizing the flight of the arrow, with the bow canted, eye over the arrow. He shot with the arrow on his finger. This is based on article he wrote for the Bear Newsletter in response to questions about his shooting style.