ID a Couple of Bears

[Whip]

Need a little help to nail down the ID of a couple of old Bears.  Need to order some decals from Al H.  
First one from what I have been able to find out is maybe a '49 or '50?  There are no decals, but you can see where they were.

[Whip]

Bear number 2 I think is a 1960 Kodiak?







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Thanks for any help you can give!

[4runr]

Joedoc, the second one is definately a '60.

[Jack Shanks]

One of the experts can probably chime in on the first one for sure with the aluminum lamination.

Bow number 2 with the black and white overlays is a 1960. I believe I had that same bow in my hand last weekend at your booth in Kalamazoo.

[Whip]

That's the one Jack, and '60 was the consensus there too.  Very cool bow!  
The first one sounded like it might be a 49 or 50.  Not sure if there was a difference in the decals between the two years?  The owner is just looking to have it restored as a wall hanger, but I would like to get the decals right.
Thanks!

[reddogge]

It goes without saying the first one should never be strung or shot.  There are so few of them around with the aluminum laminations and the glue is not very durable after all of these years.

[johnnyrazorhead]

The first bow is an aluminum laminated Grizzly static tip bow made in 1949-50.There should be three different decals on the bow.Small running Bear logo w/Grayling Mich.on upper limb back,small pat.pend.decal on lower limb back and "GRIZZLY" decal on upper limb belly.

[Whip]

Right reddogge - he just wants to hang it on the wall.  

Thanks John - do you know if there was any difference between the '49 & '50 decals?  Of will Al H. know maybe?

[d. ward]

hey Joe I think Wade may have posted some pics somewhere with those decals pictured.I'll see if I can find it and pass it along bd

[johnnyrazorhead]

Whip- I don't believe there was any diffeence in the decals for those two years.

[NancyVTAS]

I just got decals from Al for the 49/50, I have 1 that didn't need them and  1 I made a wall hanger for a customer. Al has the match for sure!   Dick

[Steve O]

You are a good man Whip...

I understand that guy is looking for the right quiver for that 49 or 50 to hang it up with some period arrows as well.

Any hints for him?  It was his grandfather's bow.

So, is there any way to tell a 49 from a 50?  I'm guessing it is not the same as the bows from the 60s where that first 9 would have been for '69?

[d. ward]

I bet Joe's almost to Texas I spoke with him on the phone this morning and he's headed for the pig gig.
Al should have all the decals no problem bd

[TRAP]

Is the sight window on that 60, light colored rosewood or something else?  Hmmmm looks kinda...well...different?      

Trap

[4runr]

Trap, I took a pretty good look at it at Kzoo and it looked like a Golden Rosewood.

I bet it'll refinish into a BEAUTY!

[TRAP]

I agree Kenny.  I bet you were wishing you were a lefty when you saw that.

You have a PM coming my friend.  Trap

[Bjorn]

That sight window made me go look at the sight windows of my 1960 Kodiaks-none look like that one.
The Grizzly is easy, whether you call it a '49 or a '50 the decals and appearence is identical.

[Al H]

Hey Guy's I have a question.  I checked both of Dads old aluminum bows.  One is a Kodiak and one is a Grizzly.  They are both dated 49 and they both have a pat. applied for sticker under the handle.
Back to my question...What year did they change the pat. applied for to pat. pending?

Thanks for your help as always...Al

[Shaun]

If that bow was mine, I'd string and shoot it. It may be 60 years old, but so am I. I have always heard that those aluminum lam bows were fragile, but I have never seen a broken one. Have you?

[Bjorn]

I have not seen broken alu bows either; but they will take a 'set' after they are shot a lot.
I'd say shoot it a coupla' times just for the old mojo-it is worth it-and then put it on the wall.