Bear bow without a medallion ?

[Eric B.]

Did they ever make them without one? My son found one at a second hand store - 64" Kodiak leather wrapped handle and it does not have one???  # 55, LH , Brown glass on back / White on belly. Thanks , Eric

[portugeejn]

I have a couple bear bows without the medallion.  They are from 1955-56, and I've read that they started using them in 1959.  Sounds like an earlier one.  Did he buy it?

Ron

[Eric B.]

Not yet - Payday is Friday. Thanks for the info

[Jeremy]

They started using the medallions in '59.
The '56 Kodiak is a double shelf, '58s all had white glass back and belly.  I thought all the '57s had only brown glass, but I could be wrong (frequently am).  The '56 Kodiak Special  had brown glass on the back and the blue-gray glass on the belly.

My guess would be a late '57 Kodiak, which just happens to be one of my favorite Bears     You don't find too many that are 55+#

[d. ward]

1959 would be correct for the first coin logo's..the bow was most likely manufactured before 59.....but I don't think there are any Kodiaks that are brown and white ????? all white in 1958.......Could it be a Kodiak special???  bowdoc

[Jeremy]

BD, I had a collector tell me he had a brown/white '57 Kodiak, so there may be a few out there??  I could have bought a '59 Kodiak for what he wanted for it!

My first thought on reading the post though was "a '56 Kodiak Special"  

[d. ward]

Hey Jer,that would be a rare model..but again and as I mentioned before nothing from Bear Archery would suprize me anymore(they kept the presses rolling so to speak).Price wise,I guess what ever someone will pay for them..But the super rare models,like a 1957 half and half,would be a rare bird.Last year I worked on a 1960 Kodiak 64",not really rare,but an odd duck to say the least..The orange fiberglass was on the back-side rather then the belly-side....Ya gotta love em huh..bowdoc

[Eric B.]

Thanks guys. He is going to buy it Friday. I can't wait to see it. It sounds like there are a few color combinations out there.

[d. ward]

Eric please keep us posted,pics would be even better........bowdoc

[d. ward]

Hey today saturday,any luck on the bow or pics as yet?????? bowdoc