Original B Handle

[Trooper]

Concerning the oringinal Bear B handles I know there is a Style I and a Style II.  Which one is the straighter grip and is anyone better than the other?

[Tatersalad]

Trooper

I've always heard that the Type I's were the best ever made.  Never had a Type I in my hand before or a Type II for that matter so i'm going but what i was told.  I'm sure there are several guys on here that have owned or own both of them now.

I'll be watching the responses.  

FYI- i just picked (technically is in route as i type this) up a 1996 Factory Camo Bear Takedown with orginal camo limbs to match.  Next time you see me on the range i'll be sling arrows with it.
That puts me up to 3 B handle green stripes, 2 early B Mags, one early A Mag, my 2011 Red stripe and now a factory camo brown stripe...8 Takedowns....the herd is growing!

Michael

[d. ward]

Murray & Michael pics soon..I'll be back in about 5 minutes don't go anywhere bd

[d. ward]

wow I took 28 pics and only got these but these will tell the tail of the 1's & 2's can you guess what's what ? can you decide which you like better ? which is ? well you get the idea. Now you tell me what you like the best and or want more pics ? I've shot all models of bear take downs both 1's and 2's new and old greenies black and tan and every model of mag handle.But which one do I like ? man thats a tough one there.I really love em all ??????? bd            

[NancyVTAS]

Bowdoc- what brace height works best for you on these Beauties?? Thanks Dick

[d. ward]

wow Dick that depends alot on the limbs I'am shooting.I like to shoot the white or red tip I have at 8-8 1/4 maybe up to 8 1/2 inch.But the green tip I like those lower braced at 7 1/2 up to maybe 8 inch bd

[Tatersalad]

Bowdoc

Thanks for posting!  You know which ones i love....the ones with the little bears on the limb hinges.  I got a B-Mag with them.  I sure love the look of them old Bear takedowns.  I hope to add one to my collection one day.  Unforutantely the longer i wait the more expensive they get....story of my life.

Michael

[cacciatore]

Nice pics Don.

[Trooper]

Thanks for posting those pics Bowdoc.  Man you know how to get us Bear lovers blood going! I want an original B handle!!

[NancyVTAS]

Thhanks Bowdoc for ALL the INFO you share!!! Dick

[Larry m]

Bd, You are the Man!!! Never ceases to amaze me what the advanced collectors can come up with. It's like all you have to do is ask and you shall receive. This IS the place if you want to learn about this sports history. Very Nice!!!!!!

[Jack Shanks]

Bowdoc,

 Thanks for making that clarification in showing the difference between the Type I and II. I knew the switch between type I and II was around serial number 2000 but wasn't certain how they differed. The A handle I have is serial# 2044. It has the brown bears on the latches and comparing the belly side handle profile with the C handle I have serial # 1940 and those in your pictures I can see it is a type II. I have owned The A handle for over six months but didn't shoot it for the first time until a couple days ago. I have a few other B handles that I am partial to but may have found my new favorite shooting bow in the A handle.

[turkey522]

Doc the ones that are sanded the glass doesn't flow around the shelf on the belly side.Is that because the shelf has been lowered or the way it was made.I never even seen a Bear takedown so if you can point out the differences between a type I and II,I would  appreciate it.Terry

[Hud]

The Green Stripe, is close in size and style to the Type II. The grip is lower, and thinner thru the handle. The Green Stripe is a laminated handle the originals 1969-72 were solid and I believe impregnated, making them heavier.

The Type II has a routered adjustable rest on the ones I have seen. It was thought it contributed to the failure in a number of Type II's, but I have not had first hand knowledge of that problem.

[d. ward]

the sanded one's are all type 2 or 2000 series aka Fred's grips ??? And all are factory unalterd uncut factory handles(they all came that way).The greenies are really just a type 2 made of action wood so to speak and have a smaller grip section.I should have some better pics later this morning.
Tim was here all day yesterday and he's thinking he may have gotten my pc fixed.Geeszus I hope so these things are a pain in the neck but you kind of can not get by without them in this day and age.Well I know I can't bd

[d. ward]

I added another one to the mix to really confuse you now bd        

[Moooseran]

It appears that there were many variation made of the "B" Grayling risers. I have three and I'll try to explain each one. Two are Type one. The first one has a flared area at the end of the grip. The other one which a LH has a straight area
at the end of the grip. The first one has a full grip where as the LH type one has a narrow grip like a type two. My last "B" is a type two and matches the LH type one. Both of these have the same shelf and grip.

I wonder if some of these were special order ???

I have photos but have trouble posting them. Haven't figured to do it. Can email them.

[d. ward]

I'd say your right about some of those were special order Moose.The B riser in the middle of the pic has the strike plate sight window area cut out to be a bit more center shot.At the same time they removed stock from the sight window they also lowerd the shelf.The neat thing about that one is it came from the factory that way.He orderd it that way and thats what they sent him back in the early 1970's bd

[Moooseran]

Hi Doc: Are you able to receive Email ??  Is your personal PC up and running ?? I'd like to send you a few photos of these 3 risers.

I also have 2 projects in mind that need your expert attention. I'll include photos of those also. I'll try and send all photos in 3 Emails.

Let me know if your up and running.

[email protected]

Moose