1959 56" Maple sight window find

[Wade Phillips]

John - I'm just glad you didn't have your wife take that photograph and then try to explain to us that it was her toenails with the nail polish...

[vintage-bears]

Wade,
is the center maple window Kodiak refinished?
The 55# model.

If so, I wonder if it's the one I refinished some years ago. I can't remember where I wrote the serial #.

Thanks......Philip

[Wade Phillips]

Philip -

Yes, the center MWS is refinished. I got it from Joe St. Charles 10-15 years ago and he told me Bowdoc did the refinish. Yes, it is 55# and serial number BA365. It still has the original tip overlays.

The other four MSW all have the original finish.

[vintage-bears]

Wade,
I don't have any refinished bows, but that one does interest me being 55# with fresh varnish on it.    

Actually, I do have 1 refinished bow, Donnie still has it, the 66/67 black phenolic riser Kodiak. I was waiting for death threats on that one! Another topic, another day. Can't wait to get it back.

Thanks Wade......Philip

[Wade Phillips]

Philip -

Oh my, that 55# MSW is a pretty special bow to me. I got it from Joe who has been a good friend for 30 years.

About 10 years ago we were planning a trip to hunt the Little Delta and that was the bow I was going to take. The hunt fell through, but I still have the bow.

The other bow I had for that tip was my Moose Bow, a 60# 60" 1959 Kodiak in dead mint condition. Still have it too.

Actually it only scales 59-1/2# and is really 59-1/2" and is a later '59 so really a 59-1/2 model.

Come to think of it, it is the only legitimate Triple 59-1/2 that I've ever hear of in existence...        

Yes, all collectors are crazy.

[vintage-bears]

Thanks for the reply Wade.
That is a nice specimen and kinda like the idea that it's refinished. Considering I bow hunt in ANY weather conditions.

Well you still have the bow and the little delta is still there.........

I had also planned the same trip with a dear friend.
That friend has since passed away.

I intend to hunt there still. My vintage-bear Kodiak bows are ready. Also 1959 Kodiak's 55#.
Gotta take 2, just in case!
Take Downs stay on the shelf for that hunt.

My wife of 22 years encourages me to go.

I wonder if she does because she knows the bears up there are mean and have a hunger for Italians!

........Philip

[Wade Phillips]

Philip -

I almost always hunt with refinished bows. I hate to destroy a mint original bow buy using it under hunting conditions.

The mint original bows are cool to look at and take out for a Sunday tour of the range, but not my first choice for hunting.

The finish in those 59 and 60 Kodiaks won't hold up to a season a hard use in our thick woods on the river bottoms here.

I don't think the Grizzly is picky about what type of meat he eats, Italian, French, German, etc... He just eats it...

[hayslope]

Alex

To get back to your question.....I'll dig out our black light.  We'll get together and with the black light and a loupe, if it is there, we'll find it.  I've had two 59s that have impossible-to-see serial numbers, but that combo of items seems to work in making the numbers appear.  We'll give it a shot anyhow.

[alex b]

A friend of mine came over and brought a good camera so i took some better pictures of the bow. I had some resizing problems so you can click on the smaller pictures to make them bigger.
















alex

[jackdaw]

wow.........!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.Nice find! I'm re-inspired to go look for one of those.....nice job.  jackdaw

[Windsurfer]

Hey Alex, That is the most awesome bow I have ever seen.  Dave (Windsurfer)

[TonyW]

Back in the days when John was 2/3 on MSW 59s

[jackdaw]

that is a great find! One of my favorite of the Kodiaks..!! I have a 60" Repro maple window 59 Kodiak..just a great combo!. Well done!