Date my Kodiak

[pumatrax]

I have a gorgeous Bear Kodiak ; serial number 6L2269 ...rosewood...brown glass..60" 50# Grayling Michigan ....any help in dating it would be appreciated...thanks

[oldbohntr]

1966. I'd guess more likely bubinga or shedua than rosewood. If you can post pics, you will get a more definitive answer. Every year from that era produced some real beauties.

[pumatrax]

I think your right on the bubinga...thanks for the input...Doug

[PAPALAPIN]

Speaking from memory, which is wanning at this age,  I seem to remember that the '66 riser was golden rosewood with golden rosewood caps.

Could be wrong.

[oldbohntr]

Well, Jack, I always doubted that Golden Rosewood was anything more than a Bear marketing claim for something unique.  But, Google tells me I am wrong. I had it pegged for some particularly highly figured version of a wood we'd seen in their other bows of the era, or a bleached rosewood, or something similar.  Not so, I guess. For me, the only wood that came close to the '62 and earlier rosewood risers was the tigerwood used in a few of the '68-69 bows. I let the big boys' tigerwood bows go, but my grandson is shooting a really pretty tigerwood Little Bear right now.  

Whatever wood or year you have, Doug, I can believe you're right that it's gorgeous. And, most of them are really fine shooters, too.

[d. ward]

1966 figured bubinga riser & caps
1966 bubinga riser with bubinga caps
1966 bubinga riser with golden rosewood caps
1966 golden rosewood with golden rosewood caps
...yeahaw last night on nights for sure back to normal as soon as I wake up today yepeeee bd

[vintage-bears]

Originally posted by the real bowdoc:
1966 figured bubinga riser & caps
1966 bubinga riser with bubinga caps
1966 bubinga riser with golden rosewood caps
1966 golden rosewood with golden rosewood caps
...yeahaw last night on nights for sure back to normal as soon as I wake up today yepeeee bd

Great list Donnie.    

Thanks for clarifying why some Bubinga range from boring to beautiful.

Here's my 1966 Kodiak.
 

[PAPALAPIN]

Well HAWT DANG!!

If Bowdoc confirmed it, I guess my ol' memory ain't as bad as I thought it was.

Nice one, Phil.

[wadde]

The different combinations of woodwork is what makes collecting these old bears interesting. It is nice that this site is available to collectors to tap all the knowledge that is on the site. Great job guys with all the info.

[pumatrax]

hey vintage-bears  I sent you a pic of my 66 ...hope ya don't mind...thanks to all for the info

[vintage-bears]

Originally posted by pumatrax:
hey vintage-bears  I sent you a pic of my 66 ...hope ya don't mind...thanks to all for the info

I dont mind at all pumatrax.
I looked at the pics you sent me and your 66' Kodiak is a beauty.

You ought to post pics here on TG for others to see as well.
The pictures are the best part of the post.
Eye candy!    
........Philip

[pumatrax]

Philip....haven't figured out how to do that...can you post the one I sent to ya....thanks

[vintage-bears]

Here's your bow Pumatrax.
Very nice.    

[vintage-bears]

1965 Kodiak's were made with bubinga as well. essentially the same bow as the 66' with grey glass.

These bows are a great example of the different grain and color found in Bubinga.

[pumatrax]

THANKS....vintage-bears !!!