Wade I know my pictures are terrible but can you tell who signed them.The darker osage is a Deerslayer & the other is a Ranger I believe.

Hello Rick,

I'm sorry to say that I can not tell you for certain who marked either one of your bows. I do have several similar bows that are marked nearly identical to yours.

Judging from your photographs, the Deerslayer would date to the 1948-49 Transition Era when Bear got started mass producing machine made bows.

I'm not a handwriting expert, but at some point in identifying these Grumley era bows, I may become one.

I don't believe that Nels Grumley nor Bob Meaker (1948 successor to Nels Grumley) printed the lettering on either of your bows.

I say this given my limited experience with of owning dozens of bows marked by Nels Grumley as well as owning many of Bob Meaker's personal bows, some of which are marked.

I would have to say that your bows are originally marked, and were likely marked by  another Bear employee who worked on bows. Keep in mind that during the 1947-48-49 period, the number of employees who were working on bows increased significantly.

Rick - Regardless of who marked your two bows, they are both very nice items for the Bear Collector, or any Archery Collector to have.

I hate to even say this, but if you went back just 5 years ago, the number of Deerslayers marked only "Bear Archery" were very few, and much fewer than the number of Deerslayers known that were marked "Bear Archery by Grumley". In saying this, I do not mean to imply that bows "by Grumley" would be less valuable than those marked only "Bear Archery".

If I examined your two bows in person, it would be apparent from the workmanship if either Nels Grumley or Bob Meaker had a major hand in working on the bows.

Also want to mention that on less expensive bows than the Field model, such as the Rover or Ranger, I have never seen these less expensive bows marked "Bear Archery by Grumley".

Rick,

Before seeing photographs of anything other than the belly of your two bows, I want to take an educated guess about the laminations and wood configuration in your Deerslayer...

Osage belly (obvious in photograph), yew core, hickory back with marcata, fortisan or woven glass as the backing.

Either the tip overlays or the handle has some light colored wood, e.g., birdseye maple, maple, lemonwood, etc.

I'm curious to learn if your Deerslayer is made  differently than those that I have recorded to date that are marked similar to your bow...

I will try and get some pics in a little bit.

Well we finally did it.I hope they turned out.

Rick - Thanks for posting the photographs. You have a very nice looking Deerslayer.

My guess on its construction was pretty close.

I have a "Bear Archery" T/D Deerslayer from the same period, that has the same tip overlays as yours, same backing, same belly and back lam. The only real difference is the core lam is yew.

Also have a "Bear Archery" Hunter from the same period, that has the same limb laminations as yours.

Your Deerslayer is one of the last made before they started putting the "Deerslayer" water transfer decals on them.

Rick -

Forgot to mention that that arrows came today. Thanks so much for sending them. They are really cool.

If you want that Fred Bear knife, I will be happy to send it to you in trade, or what ever you feel is fair.

Didn't expect to get anything in return.I'm glad you like them.I really like what Hink is doing.I would like to contribute to his display.I would very much like to get Kibbe artifacts out where people can see them.

Wade,I dont know if you read the post on the arrows I sent you,But the blue crested arrow belonged to a Kibbe employee Byerl Bayliff.The Pink crected arrows he had made for his wife Kathrine.The small game broadhead was my last one that was attached to a shaft.Hink is going to get the other one. I would like to get you or Hink that experamental 4 blade Kibbe head.It came out of the factory & was owned by Byerl.

Rick -

Thanks for the information on the arrows. Will get the information on the label for each arrow.

If you would like to get Hink or myself that experimental 4 blade Kibbe head, just flip a coin, heads Wade wins, tails Hink looses.    :cool:    However the coin toss turns out I would be happy to get the head.    

Seriously, whoever might get it, you know it will be greatly appreciated and displayed so everyone can see it.

Thanks Wade,I know it will.

Hey....    
Rick..The experimental 4 blade I think would get  home sick from Michigan if it was to leave so for the health of the head it should stay here in Michigan to be shown for all to see.  

Thanks for the offer for sure....Hink...
 

Wade, have a 2009 MBH button for you. Just got it in the mail. Will send it out later. Thats if you need it?

Jon

Wade,Thanks so much for the knife.I really didn't expect that.

Wade,Thanks so much for the knife.I really didn't expect that.