A neighbors grandmother has a Kodiak bear recurve she is wanting to sell. I was just told about it this afternoon. I am making plans to go look at it soon and am just curios if anyone can help me date it and what a fair price would be to offer for it. The serial number is 14CJ188 60" 55@28" She can't remember when her husband bought it originaly and he passed away several years ago. I am told it has brown wood and green glass. If anyone could help i would appreciate it. Thanks in advance!

        Adeeden

Serial numbers are unreliable I would need a pic or glass color and riser wood type. In the meantime my guess is that it is a 61 or 62. **** is your best price guide. Look under closed auctions.

I would say about $100 - $150 depending upon condition.

There are some collector models that are worth big $$$$$ to the right collector,but I don't believe this is one of them. I have a collection of old 1960's Bears that I love to shoot and hunt with.However.....I did not pay over $100 for any one of them. You have to be realistic and remember that you are buying a 30-40 year old bow,without any warrenty,that could possibly let go at any time.The name "Bear" makes it a "classic" not a "collector".You would be hard pressed to find anyone who would spend $200-$300 for an old Indian or a Shakespear,but some folks will drop $300 at the drop of a hat for a 1960's model Grizzly   :confused:

If the bow is in good shape offer her $100,if it's in GREAT shape offer her $150,I don't think you will be taking advantage of your grandmother IMHO.

Here is a helpful guide to the year made:

http://www.fredbear-online.com/bows/

Careful guys.  If that is a 60 or 61 Kodiak, it would bring BIG bucks on e-bay.  Possibly $500 to $800, MAYBE even more.  If that's the case, I wouldn't be able to sleep very well offering the lady $100.

I'd say get a pic of it and post it on here.  You'll soon know the true value of it.  If it was YOUR Grandmother, what would YOU want to be done?

I agree with Otto,If you could post a pic,it would be VERY helpful!!!!!

However.....I DO NOT believe that "e-bay" gives a realistic value guide. I have seen some REALLY crappy bows bring some REALLY outragous prices!!!!!

BTW,If it WAS my grandmother,I would be HONEST with her and offer her a FAIR price.(If it was my grandmother,she probly would have just given it to me,to "keep it in the family")

More details. A pic is the best.

Coin  type/color

55# also makes it desirable most Bears were 45 or less.

The rough details so far give an indication that it is a collectable bow

Woodchucker

I won't disagree that some "vintage" stuff on e-bay will bring some ridiculous prices....However...

If you were going to sell a bow to me for $200 and then you saw the same bow on e-bay with bids going over $500, how willing would you still be to sell it for $200?

Realistic value or not.  Prices on e-bay are what they are and therefore reflective of what the market will bear.

I'm trying to work out a time to go take a look at it when i do I'll take the camera and try to get some pictures of it. When i do I'll post them.

Adeeden

Woodchucker,

Yes there are some bows that somehow get inflated bids on e-bay, but most Kodiaks, especially 1959-1965 are high dollar bows. They are in demand for two reasons. They are beautiful and they SHOOT!

Well with the green glass the 59, 60 and 66 are out. Serial number is wrong for a 65, 62's and 63's are listed as grey, but to some eyes look green. 63 is the dog leg very easy to recognize, 64 has weight forward riser but they are not laminated like the 1965 on up thought the Super Kodiaks.
Now though you will find a lot of people calling Kodiak Hunters, Kodiaks too, but they aren't quite the same bow and should never sell for more than $100 to $150 although lately they do.
I am betting 63 or 64.. 63  $250-$300. A 64 at that weight you  might be looking at $450-$500, due to their reputation as hard shooters. Now if it is a 61, with out a star stamp and few to no stress cracks, you could be looking in the $500 range too.
Dan... a couple more reasons.. Nostalgia aka history as well as fit and finish second to none. Sure don't disagree with your other 2 reasons either.

Just because a collector will pay 750 dollars for a vintage bow doesn't mean that you have to. You must keep in mind that the same 750 dollar Bear bow would have gone for 200 if the seller had a buy-it-now price for 200. If you find a deal, take it.

Maybe it's just me.....I have collected a few old 1960's Bear recurves,I bought them for one reason.....TO SHOOT!!!!! If one breaks,yes I will be a little "hurt",but the bow was meant to be used (but not abbused LOL) and Papa Bear would wan't that bow out there hunting,not hanging on a wall.I believe Fred looks down and smiles every time he sees one of us hunting with his old recurves.

I have a 1967 Grizzly that turns 40 this year,and this year it is my designated "Hunting Bow". I can't just "hunt" if I'm worried about breaking,or scratching,a bow that I have spent a LARGE amount of money on.

Woodchucker

I'm with you on that.  I was down in the basement tonight shooting a 65 model Kodiak and I'm considering hunting with it this fall.  I have a blast shooting these bows that are almost as old as I am.

Otto,

May The Great Spirit Guide Your Arrows My Brother

A couple of early 60's Bears have went for over $800.00 in recent weeks on ****.  Earl E.'s right on the "money" I do believe.