New acquisition: 50-something-Bear Polar

Pack animal · February 28, 2011, 03:40:00 PM

just recieved a new acquisition. A 53-56? Bear Polar. This is great.
I think I will need "the real bowdocs" help, a couple items need some attention. But, I am still tickled to have this. Of course the hunter project is on hold now.
http://s885.photobucket.com/albums/ac60/Pack-animal/Polar/?action=view¤t=full.jpg
http://s885.photobucket.com/albums/ac60/Pack-animal/Polar/?action=view¤t=grip.jpg
http://s885.photobucket.com/albums/ac60/Pack-animal/Polar/?action=view¤t=decal.jpg
http://s885.photobucket.com/albums/ac60/Pack-animal/Polar/?action=view¤t=tip2.jpg
http://s885.photobucket.com/albums/ac60/Pack-animal/Polar/?action=view¤t=tip1.jpg

Bjorn · February 28, 2011, 04:16:00 PM

I'm not an expert on Polars but the stickers and glass says "53".
Nice find.

Jack Shanks · February 28, 2011, 04:30:00 PM

I'm not up on the Polars but I think Bjorn is correct.

http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=14;t=003321

coyote1956 · February 28, 2011, 04:30:00 PM

Nice bowfind enjoy it much.

portugeejn · February 28, 2011, 05:27:00 PM

I can't quite tell from the pictures, but is that a single shelf or dual shelf? According to Jeremy's Polar ID Guide, if it is single it is a 53, if double 54.

Polar ID Guide

I have a 53 that is a nice shooter.

RonP

Larry m · February 28, 2011, 09:09:00 PM

Perhaps bd or one of the other talented bow repairs guys will weigh in on your limb tip. Looks like it needs a little attention. Nice Find! I think the old Polar's have a nice vintage line to them.

Horney Toad · February 28, 2011, 10:58:00 PM

Be careful with that tip.

Jeremy · March 01, 2011, 08:35:00 AM

Looks like a '54, though with the small pics it's hard to see if it has the double shelf.

The tip could be a problem, but I've fixed much worse (think of that damage and then add a 6" delam and spalting in the wood). Get yourself a whole bunch of the real thin superglue and after cleaning any debris of the tip start saturating the wood. If the glass is loose or lifting you'll need to clamp that down gently as well.

Once you get it to where the wood will not soak up anymore glue give it a few days to dry thoroughly (the glue inside the wood takes a long time to set). Depending on how much wood is missing you can then either file the tip profile back to where there's no glass hanging over the wood, or use an epoxy with an added filler to fill in the voids. For added insurance you may want to add properly shaped tip overlays.

Pack animal · March 02, 2011, 11:57:00 AM

Thanks Bjorn

Pack animal · March 02, 2011, 12:01:00 PM

Jack thanks for the link.
by looking at the info I am pretty convinced the bow is a "54".

Pack animal · March 02, 2011, 12:06:00 PM

Jeremy;
Thanks for the discriptive post, without it I don't believe I would have been able to identify the year of mfg.
I will send you more pictures. Yes I would greatly appriciate help with restoring this bow. The one tip is the only really bad concern I have.

Larry m · March 02, 2011, 07:06:00 PM

Pack
I would not call it a bad concern, Just one that needs a little attention. Ive seen guys here deal with far worse. The Polars are nice bows and don't get some of the attention they deserve.....

d. ward · March 03, 2011, 07:27:00 AM

looks like a shooter to me and does look 1954ish...as for that tip I'd for at the very least add a little LT 420 there.I'd like to see one or two more picks if possible ? And the next ? is did you buy that bow from someone in Seattle last week ? bd

Pack animal · March 03, 2011, 04:07:00 PM

Hello bowdoc
will gorilla superglue work or do I need use only LT420?
The person I bought it from shipped the bow from Tuscon AZ.
Here are some other pics.
http://i885.photobucket.com/albums/ac60/Pack-animal/Polar/IMAG1085.jpg
http://i885.photobucket.com/albums/ac60/Pack-animal/Polar/IMAG1115.jpg
http://i885.photobucket.com/albums/ac60/Pack-animal/Polar/IMAG1113.jpg
http://i885.photobucket.com/albums/ac60/Pack-animal/Polar/IMAG1090.jpg

d. ward · March 03, 2011, 06:10:00 PM

nope no gorilla glue it will not penatrate like super glue does.Someone just bought a single shelf polar from a dealer in Seattle just wondering bd

Larry m · March 03, 2011, 09:08:00 PM

Over all the condition looks pretty good!!

Pack animal · March 04, 2011, 04:13:00 PM

Thanks bowdoc
I will procure the LT 420

Jeremy · March 07, 2011, 08:29:00 AM

BD, he was talking about the superglue made by gorilla, not the "gorilla glue"

Any superglue should work, but they're not all created equal. LT is about the best there is IMO, but the gorilla CA glue seems to be pretty good too. I wouldn't think it'd be a problem.