I have an old Bear Kodiak static tip bow and cannot pinpoint what year it was made.  Can anyone here tell the year by the serial #  K-4-113271.  It  appears to be all maple, with running bear decal, 64" long and 51lbs. No aluminum lam in the bow. it seems to be somewhere between 1949 and 1953 but I keep getting conflicting info. Can anyone here help me out...

I was also wondering what the suggested brace height was for the older static tipped Kodiak's.


Thanks,  Alan

Pictures are always helpful if you can post them

1951 Blond glass back maple belly
1952 Blond Glass back and belly
1953 Red glass back and belly

As many of us realize, serial numbers are not always a reliable method to date a Bear Kodiak, partially because humans sometimes made mistakes in writing numbers on bows.

The highest serial number I have ever seen on a Static Kodiak was under 20000 (5 digits after the K-4) indicating 20,000 bows. It is possible more than 20,000 were made and that a slightly higher numbered bow exists.

Your number K-4-113271 has 6 digits after the K-4, indicating 113,271. Seems 13,271 would be a realistic number that one would expect to see on a 1953, Red Glass Back & Belly.

If the number were 11327 it too would fall within the range of expected serial numbers for a K-4.

I'm guessing someone put an extra "1" before or after the intended serial number.

I've learned that almost any thing is possible to turn up on an old Kodiak.

Thanks guys,  it must be a 1952, it has blond glass on both belly and back. I double checked the serial number and the last 1 may be a smudge mark. So I am assuming the serial # is K-4-11327.

Still looking to find out where I should start for a brace height...

Thanks again,  Alan

Those bows brace quite low for a recurve; I have been shooting my 1952 64" Kodiak for the upcoming Fred Bear shoot and 6 1/2" is where I am at.

Good to see you posting Wade!  

Thanks again guys,  this is the place to get answers...

Alan