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Main Boards => Trad History/Collecting => Topic started by: ariser on April 17, 2006, 10:28:00 PM

Title: Bear American Bicentennial take down
Post by: ariser on April 17, 2006, 10:28:00 PM
Hi I have been lucky enough to buy one of these recurves today.Does anyone have any history on them,like how many were made.And what they are worth today.This ones in pritty good shape,matching numbers on straight limbs,couple of scratches no major dings.However sights anded (chek it),and also on the other side of riser a strip of metal for an arrow rest/tensioner.
Title: Re: Bear American Bicentennial take down
Post by: PAPALAPIN on April 18, 2006, 01:33:00 PM
That style of takedown came out in the mid '70's, when bear was focusing on their new compouind lines.  They were a lot cheaper to make than the Kodiak Takedown, wood and magnesium riser series.  You bow was a 1976 model, in commemration of the bi-centenial,  There were many different names and models of them with the only difference v=being thecolor or the riser, and the name.  While they are not really as good, collectible,  or as valuable as the Kodiak series of bows with the clamp down limbs, they are decent shooters.

Your best bet is to go to ebay and search out bows like yours in the "completed sales" catagory to see what they have been selling for.  You did not say how much you paid, but this will tell you if you gat a good buy or not.  Any bow, cheap or expensive, is worth what people are willing to pay for it.  No more, no less.  Bottm line is it does not matter how much you paid, if it is worth it to you, then you made a good buy.
Title: Re: Bear American Bicentennial take down
Post by: ariser on April 18, 2006, 01:53:00 PM
Hi Papalapin and thank you for your reply.This one is  wooden Kodiak,clamp down limb style.Colour of riser being red white and blue.
Title: Re: Bear American Bicentennial take down
Post by: ckruse on April 18, 2006, 06:02:00 PM
Ariser, I'd be interested in seeing a picture. To me it sounds like you have a 76'er which is worth what someone will pay for it (usually not much)I didn't know Bear made a wooden riser bow in these colors. Show us a picture of what you've got! CKruse
Title: Re: Bear American Bicentennial take down
Post by: ariser on April 18, 2006, 06:15:00 PM
Negative Ckruse not a 76'er.Wooden c-riser no.c-2615 in white lettering. Chrome latches with black bear on each. Red white and blue riser.White limbs 32#.I will add pictures when I learn how.
Title: Re: Bear American Bicentennial take down
Post by: ckruse on April 18, 2006, 06:36:00 PM
Now were getting somewhere! I bet it looks a lot like this 1975 Victor Custom!

(see pic on post below!)


Good find! Let us know if that's it. CKruse
Title: Re: Bear American Bicentennial take down
Post by: ckruse on April 18, 2006, 06:37:00 PM
Oops! lets try that again!

 (http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b120/cdkruse/victorcustom.jpg)
Title: Re: Bear American Bicentennial take down
Post by: ckruse on April 18, 2006, 06:45:00 PM
I must digress, with the bears on the latches it is probably a 1973 Victor Custom Viking. By 1975 I believe the bears had been omitted and the raised coin added.  The Victor name comes from tournament archer Vic Berger who used one to shoot the first ever back to back perfect games.

CKruse
Title: Re: Bear American Bicentennial take down
Post by: ariser on April 18, 2006, 07:08:00 PM
Tenfour thats the one,although mine looks a bit greener.Any idea on how many were made.And how collectable they are nowadays.Mine is sweet no dings,matching limb numbers,everything staight.Has two stablizers one long one in front,little fat one on other side.Chek it killian sights that I dont think should be there.
Title: Re: Bear American Bicentennial take down
Post by: ariser on April 18, 2006, 07:14:00 PM
Just read on the add/flyer you sent,that Chek it sights were an option,just like the little counter ballance for hunting.