Kodiak Deluxe numbers

[damascusdave]

I have always assumed that there were less than the thousand 60 inch KD's made, way less than a thousand 64 inch, and even fewer 56 inch.  Would that seem to be an accurate desription or is there reason to believe the 60 inch went over the thousand mark?

[warpedarrow]

My Deluxe that is mismarked; says 62" but measures 60" is a low serial number bow.  Serial number AO14AA.  So, I'm of no help.  What is your serial number?

[damascusdave]

AO14AA does not even fit with the Deluxe serial numbers...they are HA*** for 56 inch, IA*** for 60 inch and LA*** for 64 inch...my serial number is LA161 in black ink...some are gold and some black for some reason...the highest serial number I have seen is in the 600's but then I have not seen a whole lot...I only recently got interested in the Deluxes

DDave

[damascusdave]

Oops...I mean in the 700's...Wade has IA723

DDave

[warpedarrow]

Well Dave, I don't know what to tell you.  That is what it says; AO14AA.  This is the bow that never had a coin installed in it.  It could very well be a mistake on the lettering as the length was incorrectly listed also.  If you would like I will take some photos and post them here.  This is a beautiful bow and I never had to do anything with it other than dust it every now and then.

[damascusdave]

I have a feeling that may be an early developmental bow which would explain the numbering to some extent...I would suggest you do more than post pictures, I have a feeling that bow is worthy of its own thread...it sounds like it could very well be a one-off bow...I thought collecting 1960 Kodiaks was addictive...turns out so is collecting Kodiak Deluxes...I now have a 60 inch in process

DDave

[Rick Enos]

Just went down to the bow room & mine is a 60" ser #IA776..#58--Kodiak Deluxe--gold print

[zepnut]

1960 Kodiak Deluxe 60" 45# Serial No. 22HX1
1960 Kodiak Deluxe 60" 55# Serial No. 19P32
1960 Kodiak Deluxe 64" 53# Serial No. LA369
All in Gold ink.

[warpedarrow]

I remember Wade saying that the numbering system  was orderly until some time in 1960 when they got away from the HA, IA, LA prefixes.

[warpedarrow]

My four

IA153. 60" 47#
27XX18  60" 50#
AO14AA  60" 42#
LA337 64" 45#

[damascusdave]

Okay now I am officially confused but glad I asked the question...so I wonder if Bear reached the 999 mark on any of them or just decided to switch the numbering system before they got there...no use collecting Grayling Bears if you do not like the tough questions

DDave

[eidsvolling]

IA593 60" 48#
Looks to be original.
No, you can't have it.    :p

[damascusdave]

I have a pending deal on one that is virtually the same and less than a hundred numbers from that one...they just keep showing up...I have always wished my 64 inch was a heavier draw weight...48 at 28 should be about 52 to 54 for me...ideal

DDave

[eidsvolling]

I'm not quite the long-limbed ape that you are, but I do get a little more oomph than what is spec'd.    

[Wade Phillips]

DDave,

There were many changes to Bear Serial Numbering sequences over the years. Some changes were made mid-year so you may never find HA999. At some point in 1960 all the Bear Serial Numbering changed from beginning with two letters, to beginning with two numbers. This change is proven out in the posts above of Serial Numbers of bows in the possession of zepnut and warpedarrow...

The four Kodiak Deluxe bows that I have kept that start with the standard two letters are...

HA001 - 56" - 31# - the first standard production 56" Kodiak Deluxe
IA723 - 60" - 40#
LA001 64" 38# - the first standard production 64" Kodiak Deluxe
LA408 - 44" - 100# - the only Wedge Sight Window Kodiak Deluxe that I've heard of in existence (there are likely others as the Kodiak Deluxe was Bear's best ever at the time)

I am still looking for the 60" Serial Number IA001 - the first standard production 60" Kodiak Deluxe

Although I may never find the elusive 60" IA001, it is of great comfort to have a 60" Kodiak Deluxe that precedes IA001