Bear Grizzly Identification Guide 1949-1969

[Wade Phillips]

Hopefully this updated draft list satisfies collectors' numerous requests for information about identifying Bear Grizzly bows. As additional information surfaces, it will be copied and added here on the first page of this thread so we all have a quick & easy reference...

Grizzly Static Recurve, Single Shelf, Leather Rest Wedged Under Leather Grip, 62"

1949 & 1950 - Woven Glass Back, Alum Lamination under Walnut or Cherry on Belly (1949 & 1950 difference explained below first image)
1951 – Blond Glass on Back, Alum Lamination under Cherry on Belly
1952 – Blond Glass on Back & Belly
1953 – Red/Orange Glass on Back & Belly

                     

Early 1949 Grizzly bows had one of two types of rectangular specification water transfer decals that were inscribed with each bow's individual specifications. Although different in size & recorded information, both types of specification decals are yellow with a brown boarder.

Below - The earliest known specification decal on a 1949 Grizzly designates the LBS (draw weight) and NO. (serial number), and is on NO. 104, in the johnnyrazorhead collection as shown in the image below ...

         

Below - The second, and not as rare, early 1949 Grizzly specification decal designates the bow's PULL (draw weight), LENGTH, and NO. (serial number). This smaller 1/2" x 3/4" rectangular water transfer, specification decal was first used on the pre-Grizzly Bear bows, in 1948, known to collectors as Transition Bows, and then was later used on perhaps 2,000 or more of the 1949 Grizzly bows as shown below.

         

Later 1949 & beyond Grizzly bows had the draw weight and serial number inscribed below the leather grip.

               

[Wade Phillips]

Grizzly Static Recurve, Double Shelf, RH & LH Shelf Cut Into Riser, Wedge Sight Window, 62"

1954 – Red/Orange Glass, Wood Brush Nocks on Belly, Decals
1955 – Black Glass, 4" Wood Tip Laminations on Belly, Decals
1956 – Black Glass, 4" Wood Tip Laminations on Belly, Silk Screens
1957 – Black Glass, < 2" Tip Overlays on Back, 7" Dark Wedge Insert at tip between laminations, Silk Screens

       

1954 – Red/Orange Glass, Wood Brush Nocks on Belly, Decals
1955 – Black Glass, 4" Wood Tip Laminations on Belly, Decals
1956 – Black Glass, 4" Wood Tip Laminations on Belly, Silk Screens
1957 – Black Glass, < 2" Tip Overlays on Back, 7" Dark Wedge Insert at tip between laminations, Silk Screens

       

[Wade Phillips]

Grizzly 1958-1963, Working Recurve, Single Shelf, 62"

1958 – Gray Glass, Wedge Sight Window
1959 – Carmel Glass Belly, Pea Green Back, 2 Light Chevrons in Sight Window
1960 – Carmel Glass Belly, Pea Green Back, 1 Light Chevron in Sight Window
1961 – Camo Painted (spray or leaf pattern)
1962 – White Glass
1963 – Aqua Glass, Angled Dogleg Riser
1963 – Aqua Glass, Angled Dogleg Riser
1963 – Aqua Glass, Curved Dogleg Riser

             


Grizzly, Working Recurve 1964 – 1969

1964 – Brown Glass, Solid Zebrawood Riser
1965 – Brown Glass, Solid Zebrawood Riser, 5P
1966 – Gray Glass, Solid Bubinga Riser, 6P
1967 – Gray Glass, Solid Bubinga Riser, 7R (not shown in image below)
1967.5 – Brown Glass, Solid Bubinga Riser, 7R
1968 – Brown Glass, Solid Tigerwood Riser, 8R (duplicates shown in image below)
1969 – Forest Green Glass, Solid Shedua Riser, 9R

Sorry to post a poor quality image, could not get flash to work & could not find the blue background cloth... will try to get better image later.

 

[Bjorn]

Nice job Wade. I did not know about the different woods for the 49-50-51 bows; anybody got alu under Maple?  

[Wade Phillips]

Bjorn - Mistake on the list, just edited... sorry...

The 1950 & 51 Kodiak has light wood over the Alum Lam and believe I have seen the light wood over the alum lam only on one Grizzly, did not mean to add that one to the list as it is the exception not the rule for the Grizzly.

[4runr]

Wade, is it correct to also see Micarta on '59's and glass tips on '60's?

[alaskabowhunter]

y'all could write a book about this collecting stuff....

[Wade Phillips]

Chuck - Good idea. I may do that. Not sure when I would find the time, maybe between midnight and 6 AM when I am usually sleeping...

[alaskabowhunter]

yea Wade, I was just giving you a little nudge in the right direction. Let me know when you are having the first book signing! I'll bring the beer.

[Wade Phillips]

Kenny - For Kodiaks and Kodiak Special tips there is usually marcarta on 1959s and glass on 1960s. Would guess the Grizzly is the same, but have not owned enough of them to say for sure with any certainty. Bjorn could answer that one as he has probably owned more 1959 and 1960 Grizzly bows than most of us have actaully seen.

Have seen some 1959 Kodiak Specials with glass overlays, and know that many tip overlays have been replaced. For 1959 and 1960 bows, I would not use the overlay material to differentiate the years as the risers are really the key to easily distinguishing which year the bow was made.

While the tip material can be easily changed or replaced, the wood in the risers can not be changed or replaced...

[Wade Phillips]

Chuck - If you are offering to bring the beer, I will get back to work on that book right away!!!

[Rick Enos]

Wade, I will take care of the Pizza....

[Wade Phillips]

Free Beer and Pizza, WOW. I may just bang something out tonight and call it complete!

[TimberlineX]

I've one Bear Grizzly to show and four questions.

This particular Grizzly is 62 inches, 53 pounds and is factory camoed. Its serial number is 21AL86.

   

Because it is factory camoed, I assume that it's a 1961 model. However, its grip is black leather, which is different from the tan leather shown on the Grizzly in my 1961 Bear catalog. And the camo is also different from the camo shown in the catalog. The catalog shows stenciled leaves. The bow features sprayed green, black and brown stripes.

 

Here's the 1961 catalog page.

 

QUESTIONS

Does this appear to indeed be a 1961 Grizzly?

What's with the black leather grip?

Did the factory camo on the production 1961 Bear Grizzlies actually feature stenciled leaves as shown in the catalog?

Does anyone else have photos of a factory-camoed 1961 Grizzly?

By the way, this bow is an excellent shooter!

Bill Krenz
Colorado

[seboomook]

Bill
Your riser certainly has the '61 shape.
I have a 1960 kodiak with an identical grip. Maybe special order, though I find no reference to it.
Can't speak to the camo job, could be any number of reasons that is different.

[Wade Phillips]

Bill - Nice Bear Micro-Flite Arrow! That is one of my favorite Bear cresting patterns.

The black leather grip of your bow looks like the textured black leather grip used on the 1963 Dogleg Grizzly...

[4runr]

Bill,

I also have a '61 that had the same camo as your's. When I got it the leather had been removed, and it was partially sanded down.

The leather is the same as on a '63 Cub I bought for my wife.

[Earl E. Nov...mber]

All of the black grips I have seen where on the '63 Cubs. All the Grizzlies I have seen where the classic brown.It looks like a rather unique bow to me.

So why were there two different dog leg patterns in '63? I have never heard of any problems with the design except for the KM's.

[Wade Phillips]

Ken - I have seen the black textured grip on a 1963 Grizzly just like pictured in the 1963 catalog.

At Grayling in 1997, I was offered (but turned down) a bow with the same black textured leather grip, which looked factory original. If I remember correctly the bow was a 1961 Kodiak Factory Camo. I remember thinking at the time that someone probably sent the 1961 Kodiak back to the factory in 1963 for some work and got a 1963 Grizzly grip.  

Can not explain the reasons for the two 1963 Grizzly riser designs e.g., Angled Dogleg and Curved Dogleg, or whatever you want to call them.

[CrookedStick]

Bill, here is the leafy camo version.  Oddly enough I have the opposite grip configuration of both your '61 and Wade's '63.

But there is a star on the serial number on my '63, so I am assuming it was sent to the factory for reconditioning and they put on the current year grip just as Wade guessed about your '61.


Bernie