Bear AlaskanW/ Coin/DBL shelf

[Rick Enos]

I have owned a couple of Alaskans but never a double shelf with a coin(nickel silver)Is this common

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[Novaln1975]

Yup, quite common. It's a 1959 or 1960. Black/Orange limbs. That's how it got it's nikname, Halloween Bow. The coin is aluminum. I refinished one a while ago.

Simon

[Rick Enos]

Thanks,Learn something every day on this site.

[jcar315]

Rick, I have 4 of these and like them very much. I like the orange and black glass. I also have a double shelf Alaskan with almost green(?) glass with a riser that isn't anything like these orange and black. Seems to be from the same time line but not certain. Anyone have info on this other type of Alaskan?  (don't mean to hijack your thread John )

[seboomook]

John
Sounds like a '58, first year produced. Replaced the cub. Went to single shelf in '61

[Jeremy]

I like the looks of the '59-60 Alaskan, but the '58 Alaskan handles my 30" draw better.  The glass on your '58 looks green b/c the finish has yellowed.  The refninished glass looks very sharp.

[jcar315]

Thanks for the info Seboomook. Am I wrong in thinking the 58' riser looks more like a KS than the 59'/60' Alaskan riser? I really like the way mine shoot. Jeremy, you might be right about the glass. Very distinctive color and that model year doesn't look anything like the others. Have you guys been shooting your Alaskans??? John

[Jeremy]

The '58 Alaskan riser profile is very similar to many of the early Bears.  Just a plain maple riser with a similar feel to the '55-'57 Kodiaks.  I sould say the other Bears of the same years, but those didn't have the deflexed riser.  The KS always had a much bulkier riser.

 
top is the '59 Alaskan, bottom is the '58
Here is a bunch of other '58 Bears (OK the Polar may be a '57)
 

I liked the way the '58 Alaskan shot.  Mine was a 56# closet queen that I let go of (62# at my draw was a bit much).  My '59 Alaskan moved off the rack to make room for my '59 Kodiak.  I miss the '58 Alaskan more.  The '58 Grizz had the same glass as the '58 Alaskan - love the'58 Grizz    

The Alaskan was introduced in '58.  That's also the year the Grizzly was redesigned from a static recurve reflexed at the handle to a recurve with deflexed riser.  Everything was completely redesigned for '59.

[jcar315]

Jeremy, Nice pics. Like the side by side between the 58' and 59/60' Any advice on how to clean up the glass on the 1958? I have to admit that I would move my Alaskans to make room for a 1959 Kodiak, Thanks!

[hormoan]

Rick my Alaskan has the coin, I bought it thinking I could practice my RH shooting. Man do I stink at that     It makes a great loner bow though as its only 27 lbs.
 

John I like Flitz polish for cleaning up the glass on old bows. It works great overall for me.

[Jeremy]

Another vote for Flitz.

[Rick Enos]

I clean up my old bows with orange hand cleaner.Never tried Flitz.But I will....