Really interesting.

While we're looking at Tamerlanes,I thought I would include a few pics of another nice one I picked up recently.This one is a very nice 1964 model,one of my favorites as far as Tamerlanes are concerned..I got this bow along with that cool little white glass 1961 Kodiak Magnum shown in another post recently.Both belonged to the same former Bear employee,but not the same one the other bows in this thread came from.And both I believe were made especially for her considering the low draw weight of both bows.I really love the look of this one,the grip really has a nice,contoured feel to it.My hand falls right into place on it.There is no serial number on this one either,only the specs,and it was not marked EXP in any way.I was told by someone that worked at Bear that it was common not to put a serial number on a bow if it wasn't made for production.
Anyhow,here's a couple pics of this bow:
 
 

Love these little wedges on the caps:
 

Note the lack of serial # on this pic,as well as the short 63" length and the custom 24#@ 24" draw weight.
 

 Cool bows John, I really like the early ones...  :cool:  Hink

Thanks bill.I agree.Those '63 and '64's are gorgeous!!

Very Very Cool. I love the unique stuff!!!

Nice finds!
-Jay

cool bow John, I really like that it doesn't have the sight window routered out for a sight or plate.

:cool:  pieces of history. Love them old Bear bows  

Great bows John!  I'm generally not a Tamerlane guy, but there is no denying the coolness of those two bows.  I especially like the way that the grain was rotated in alternating directions on the wedges of that early bow.  

The main, triangular belly slabs of the EXP Tamerlane and Kodiak risers do appear to be almost the exact same cut in size and angle, they definitely look related.  

Good job finding those, keep 'em coming!

Brad

 

Hobow(Brad)- Like you,I am not really a Tamerlane guy.But this next bow might change your mind like it did mine.This bow was also found abandoned in that barn sticking out of a barrel along with the others.It was so filthy and covered in dirt and dust,I wasn't sure what it was.It found it's way home with the others and after another late night cleaning with a wet washcloth,it started to come alive.After giving sponge baths to several bows that night when I got home and long after I should have been in bed,I just had to put some polish to this one.It was worth it!The best of the bunch. Not sure what the wood is other than spectacular.Brownish in color,it looks like melted chocolate.Brown glass overlays on the tips and riser like I have never seen on a Tamerlane.Another piece of history from the R&D Dept.Enjoy!    
 
 
 
 

The ever present white tape with EXP on it.
 

Check out that swirl!!
 
 

Again,no silkscreens:
 

Brown glass overlays like Nick's(oldskoolarcher)'66 Kodiak:
 

John, Some could digging there , thats a sweet looker.....I do collect some of these for the collection so just saying.....if ever trade/sell
Thanks for saving these for sure, because you never know what might have happen to them if you didn't shake the bushes..      :cool:  Hink

Beautiful bows John!!
I myself like the Tamerlane's and view them as a significant part of the Bear History. I have in the past known several individuals who shoot these quality made recurves very efficiently in 3-D competition.
More then worth the wait for the cool story and pics. As usual John, great stuff.....

John, that looks great!  I like the brown overlays very much.  After looking at the pics of the grain that chocolate bow looks like it's made of futurewood, is that correct?  

Regardless, that's one heck of a way to kickstart a Tamerlane collection, bravo!

Brad

Wowza... Beautiful find John!!!

Brad- I wouldn't doubt that it is some sort of futurewood.The bow appears to be from around 1966 going by the glass color and the serial number.I'm sure Bear was starting to experiment with futurewood then.Wonder why they didin't make anymore brown futurewood bows.I love it!!!  

I like it too, that wood with brown glass in a '66 Kodiak would be sweet!

That Tamerlane bow has a laminated handle.  Which today is universally referred to as Actionwood. If it is dyed, it does not look like maple. It actually looks like the Yellow Birch that is used today, but without seeing it in hand...

Love seeing these......thanks for finding them in the barn and sharing the pics too!

Great to see all these unique finds, on the last one you posted (66 EXP) that swirl in the grain reminds me of quilted Maple it is beautiful. Thanks for sharing...