I picked up a Grizzly at Compton. From the Bear Catalog CD the closest I can tell is something like between 73-76. Green/black riser and brown glass. Are there other distingushing things I can look for to narrow it down? From the catalog it really doesn't look like much changed from year to year.
I've often wondered that myself? I've had three or four and currently have one.
I sent an e-mail to Bear and this is what they told me. You might try the same. They supplied the data by the ??
Model # Grizzly
Serial # KRO8752
AMO - 58" / 50#
MFG in - Grayling , MI
Bear Coin - Brass
Brace height - ???? 7.5-8.5
Year MFG - ???? 1972
String length - ???? 54 inch
Rod,
The years prior to 73 are pretty easy to distinguish in most Bear models. I have most of the Grizzly years 1953-70 where I stopped collecting them.
Joe,
From 73 on the Grayling Grizzlies are pretty much the same as far as I know. It would be interesting to find out if there is a way to put a year on them by serial number or some other means.
I bought another one from that time period yesterday.
You're right Jack about the ones prior to 73 being easier, but these mid '70's models sure have me puzzeled. I'm guessing that at the time it was a cost cutting move to not make changes every year, at least on the lower end model Grizzly. The only thing I could think of would be serial # or location of the decals maybe? But have never seen anything about that.
Has anything changed in the past 3 years? :readit:
I noticed 73 thru 75 were all ptrtty much alike, 76-77 seemed to have darker stain almost black looking on half the riser compare to the more brown on 73-75. Also the rest on 76-77 came as a stick on black rubber type where 73-75 has leather strikeplates and rugs on the shelf.
Were the decal positions on limbs the same?
Were all limbs brown?
I believe the decal positions were the same and they all had bark brown glass.