what does a STAR stamp on a serial number ( Bear Kodiak) mean ?

BradLantz · July 03, 2012, 11:21:00 AM

I've never seen that .... has anyone else ?

BradLantz · July 03, 2012, 11:42:00 AM

I found this information

" 1961 brought several changes. The riser was lengthened and the limbs shortened. This design held for 1961 and 1962, producing a very nice shooting bow. African rosewood (bubinga) was introduced along with "Grayling Green" fiberglass which is a deep avocado green. Bear had serious trouble with the riser wood causing cracks in the glass, presumably due to the wood not being seasoned properly. Many of these bows were returned to the factory, refinished for free and stamped with a star. These generally have no serial number as they were no longer covered under warranty. I do know that it is very difficult to find a 1961 in original (unrefinished) condition in excellent or better condition in the African rosewood configuration. The coins in these bows were aluminum early on, and 1961was the first year the Kodiak was offered in only one length, 60"."

I also searched a bit more - should have before I posted

Gen273 · July 03, 2012, 11:58:00 AM

That is cool info!

BradLantz · July 03, 2012, 12:14:00 PM

pretty bow

Danny Rowan · July 03, 2012, 02:33:00 PM

What color is the glass on that bow? Green? Yes the star stamp was put on any bow returned to the factory due to a problem or may have had a monor flaw from the factory, basically a second, I do not believe that 1961 was the only year that the star stamp was put on, I have seen it on other years.

Bjorn · July 03, 2012, 02:39:00 PM

If you move this to the collector page you will get somewhat different explanations from the 'experts'.

owlbait · July 03, 2012, 03:36:00 PM

Just don't ask them the value!

Bill Turner · July 03, 2012, 03:54:00 PM

Value is in the eye of the beholder. Thats for sure.

4runr · July 03, 2012, 04:25:00 PM

That's a very nice '62!!

BradLantz · July 03, 2012, 06:59:00 PM

owlbait - yes that looked badly, I errored there.

So its a '62?

I have this one other picture ...

Jack Shanks · July 03, 2012, 08:07:00 PM

Gray glass and pewter coin 1962.

wadde · July 04, 2012, 01:03:00 AM

The bows returned and redone were marked with a star and also in later years marked with an S. I have seen both.

BradLantz · July 04, 2012, 01:47:00 PM

it adds character to the bow, doesn't it?

I'm picking it up on Saturday ... I hope its in great shape, the pic's make it look nice enough

vintage-bears · July 04, 2012, 04:54:00 PM

Working this tread from my phone so I can't post pics til I get to my pc.

A star stamp was used for returned bows and bows that were sample bows used by Bear reps.

I have seen this stamp on 61 thru 64 models but could have been used on other years......not sure

......Philip

Earl E. Nov...mber · July 05, 2012, 06:54:00 PM

That is one sweet '62...

vintage-bears · July 05, 2012, 08:50:00 PM

Working this tread from my phone so I can't post pics til I get to my pc.

A star stamp was used for returned bows and bows that were sample bows used by Bear reps.

I have seen this stamp on 61 thru 64 models but could have been used on other years......not sure

......Philip

vintage-bears · July 05, 2012, 08:51:00 PM

Working this tread from my phone so I can't post pics til I get to my pc.

A star stamp was used for returned bows and bows that were sample bows used by Bear reps.

I have seen this stamp on 61 thru 64 models but could have been used on other years......not sure

......Philip