66' prototype has found a home

[d. ward]

you gotta love it you just gotta sometimes things are not what they appear to be.Here is a couple of former camo kids of mine bd        

[vintage-bears]

Coming along.......

[d. ward]

........ little behind schedule Phil but she's looking new bd  

[vintage-bears]

Thanks Donnie.
Can you post some more pics? >>>------->

[d. ward]

ok but I gotta show them all bd          

[vintage-bears]

Thanks Donnie.
The bow looks amazing! Can't wait to shoot it..........Philip

[C Kerley]

That thing is just plain "neat".  I wish I had a better word for it, but what a special bow!

I was back and forth on the camo removal, but I think the right choice was made.  I am curious though, what did the decals and writing say on it?

[d. ward]

that is a really rare bow right right there bd

[Blackhawk]

Now that is one cool-looking RARE BIRD!

[vintage-bears]

Donnie.
Sent PM.......Philip

[Hoof]

Bowdoc, that looks awesome! man...  :eek:

[LimBender]

And now for the rest of the story . . . . What was the Serial #?

Incredible - ebony and ivory livin in harmony!  And a very interesting thread.

[PAPALAPIN]

B E A U T I F U L ! ! !

Great job Doc.  

I would have left it natural, but that's Phils call.

I think he made the right one.

[d. ward]

my goodness that little gem looked good about 3:15 this morning wow I may have trouble letting that one come home bd  

[d. ward]

whoops Lb I did not read your post until I posted the pic(little early still).......actualy its a 1967 1/2 Bear Kodiak and one mighty fine looking bow bd

[vintage-bears]

Hey Donnie,
Don't tease me! Can you snap a picture of medallion side and tips?..........PLEASE!!!!!!!

[LimBender]

So is this a "prototype" of the 67 1/2 or a phenolic riser 67 1/2 Kodiak?  In other words, is it very scarce or one-of-a-kind, or have I just misread this entire thread   :D  ?

[vintage-bears]

Originally posted by vintage-bears:
   

Originally posted by PAPALAPIN:
Philip

Personally I would not remove the rest of the Camo,  As it is it tells the story of this bow in that it sat hidden under camo paint for 44 years until Tom decided to see what was under the paint.  

It amazes me that someone could shoot this bow for that long and not realize there is a differennce between this now and a standard  '66.  The big difference in hand weight should have tipped them off to something.  Common sense should say that the layer of camo paint would not add that much weight.

When I acquired it, I dubbed it the "Troy Kodiak" after Tom Troy who discovered this jewel under the camo paint.  I hope Philip honors that name and continues to refer to as the Troy Kodiak.

I would do something to add some kind of finish where Tom reubbed a bit too much, but I would not remove any more of the camo.  However, philip is now the new custodian of this piece of Bear history so I guess it is his call.

Take care of her Philip.  It belongs in the collection of "Vintage Bears".

Thanks very much Jack. I'm on the fence about the camo finish with this bow.
I am thinking about bringing the bow to it's ORIGINAL condition.

It's original condition was NOT camo! The camo came later. I'll explain.
After thorough inspection, the bow has evidence of being finely sanded and varnished at Bear Archery just like a production model. It was clearly an  R+D bow.
Ofcoarse I could be wrong on this.
It is my theory that this bow was initially going to be a 67 Kodiak and Bear Archery decided to not make one at all for 1967.
The decision was made to wait and introduce the ALL NEW  67 1/2 Super Kodiak with the black phenolic riser.
This is my opinion of this bow.

Once all decisions were made at Bear Archery, this bow was sent back to the factory area with instructions to camouflage it, weigh it and serialize and send it off to bear dealers as a 1966 Kodiak.
I could be wrong but I am confident that's how this bow came to be.
The bow has found a home on the wall sitting between a 1966 Kodiak and a 67 1/2 Super Kodiak.
It's like the missing link has been found........philip [/b]

There are a couple prototypes out there for the 66 model year Kodiak that I know of. Each and every one is unique and very special. If you go back on this topic you will see some neet photos of them. This particular Kodiak is the only KNOWN solid phenolic example.
Scarce? YES.
One of a kind? Who knows.
This bows hidden identity lasted nearly 45 years.
It was time!

It's more amazing than I imagined it to be.
Thanks Fred.......Philip

[d. ward]

OMG I don't know Phil the more work I get into her the better she looks.I had so much wet sanding yesterday that I missed the spray schedule last night so I'll keep you posted in a couple hours.........hiho hiho its off to spray bows I go......yeah right bd

[shick]

Doc, now I know why you have a bedroom full of bows.  Linda sold your bed because you surely don't sleep, so why have it.  You are bow-a-holic work-a-holic.
Denny