Trad Gang
Main Boards => Trad History/Collecting => Topic started by: Wade Phillips on January 28, 2009, 10:50:00 AM
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What do you believe is Bear’s Rarest Production Kodiak made from 1950 to 1966? The Year, Length and Glass Color…
Not an experimental bow, nor DeLuxes, nor Special DeLuxes, nor Specials, nor Magnums, No Supers… just plain Kodiaks.
Production Kodiaks are bows produced on standard production forms and do not include mis-marked or altered bows.
Not a Kodiak that you want, but one that you believe is worthy of the title “Fred Bear’s Rarest Production Kodiak”.
You may believe the handsome little 56” 1957 White Glass Kodiak is a candidate for the title…
(http://members.cox.net/wadephillips/57-WHITE.JPG)
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You may believe that the title should go to one of the Static Kodiaks that were made from 1950 to 1953 and were produced in three models each year, K-2 (62”)’ K-4 (64”)’ and K-6 (66”) as single shelf bows. Or perhaps the little known 1953-1/2 Kodiak model was also produced but as a double shelf RH/LH rather than a single shelf. To my limited knowledge, the 1953-1/2 was never advertised.
A good candidate for the title, “Fred Bear’s Rarest Production Kodiak” might be the 1953-1/2 Double Shelf Static 66”, that is if any collector has one…
This photograph shows the 64” version of the 1953-1/2 Kodiak. It has the Kodiak Decal, and 1953 Kodiak Red Glass. This bow was produced as a progression from the 1953 Single Shelf Static Kodiak to the 1954 Double Shelf Compass Kodiak Working Recurve…
I have never seen nor heard of a 1953-1/2 Kodiak in 66” length, but they may exist. If the 66” bow does not exist, it certainly can not be considered for the title “Fred Bear’s Rarest Production Kodiak”, but if some collectors do have this bow in the 66” length, it would certainly be a candidate for this title.
BowDoc – Do you remember the year that you put this bow up for auction…?
(http://members.cox.net/wadephillips/1953-12.JPG)
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yap same year I took a bit of a whoppen in the stock market.Small world of bows ai'nt it..bd
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Wade,
How about those 54-55 transition Kodiak II's.It's a Kodiak II with compass,,blonde glass,black writing on the back under the grip,but it's on a 1955 Kodiak frame.Matt D. just sold one on the big auction block.I haven't seen too many of those.
(http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr118/johnnyrazorhead/transitionKII2.jpg)
(http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr118/johnnyrazorhead/transitionKIIone.jpg)
(http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr118/johnnyrazorhead/transitionKII3.jpg)
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I read the post and I don't want to appear that I can't follow instructions,lol, but how about the pre-Super Kodiak 1967 Kodiak. I've only seen pics of one and it was sharp,sharp,sharp. Zebra Wood, I think, with phenolic nose caps. GT
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Well since I can't take part in this rare bird contest I'll throw out a question.
Glenn St Charles joined Bear in 1953 and quit producing his Thunderbird recurve; did that inspire the first Kodiak recurve?
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I don't know if this could be considered "rare" as I've seen a few but still not many.Maybe there's more out there than I know.It's a '61 Kodiak with a purple-heart I-beam,pewter medallion,and I'm not sure of the wood on this one.The catalog states that it is African Rosewood but I don't think this is.I've seen a couple of others with this lighter wood.This one has really nice grain in it.The really neat thing about this one is that it was hardly shot and still has the original green colored rug rest on it.I've seen those in the catalogs but not too often on the bows themselves.This bow was given to a gentleman by Fred that worked for him back in Detroit.Nice gift.
(http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr118/johnnyrazorhead/61KodiakI.jpg)
(http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr118/johnnyrazorhead/61KodiakII.jpg)
(http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr118/johnnyrazorhead/61KodiakIII.jpg)
(http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr118/johnnyrazorhead/61KodiakIV.jpg)
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Thats a beauty
It looks like its got the same crack in the site window that Traps 59 restoration bow had, are they prone to that??
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John - Yes the 1955 Frame Tan Glass Compass Bow is pretty rare. I have two, unfortunately both are 60" like yours. Was hoping someday to trade one of them off for a 56" or a 64" but don't know if those lengths exist... Maybe someone knows of one somewhere???
John - Is the Strike Plate original to the Purple Heart SW 61 ?
Grant - I missed excluding the Super K, so just edited my first post. Sorry I don't know much about the Super K. You should start a thread about Super K, I know I would learn a lot from it. Maybe you better not, I don't need to get interested in any other bows and start to collect them too...
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kurtbel5- I don't know if that crack is something they are prone to.I've seen it on a few Bear bows with purple-heart so it may be.I'm not sure.
Wade-Yes,that strike plate is original to the '61 Kodiak.Exactly how I received the bow from the gentleman;s son.It hung in his downstairs work shop for many years before I aquired it and I doubt that he did anything to it.
How rare are these bows?
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Wade, the bow I'm referring to is not a Super K. The Super Kodiak was introed in '67 1/2 and a few Kodiak models for '67 were made prior to its introduction. That's the reare bird I was referring to. Bowdoc may still have some pics of the last-and maybe only-one he had. It was gorgeous and I was too stupid to save any pictures of it. Sorry for the confusing post. Grant
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WADE and GRANT
I have interest in what Grant was talking about. He said he saw pictures of a 1967 Kodiak with a Zebra riser.
Now I always understood that the Kodiaks in the 1967 catalog were left over '66 models. The picture in the '67 catalog even has a '66 seriel number. We always joke about the illusive 1967 Kodiak that did not really exist.
So Grant, are you saying that there actually is a 1967 Kodiak with a "7" as the first digit in the SN?
If so, I would like to hear more about that baby.
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John - I have seen probably a dozen of the 1961 PH SW Kodiaks so it could not be classified as the rarest, but would still be considered as a rare bow. I don’t believe that I am qualified to define the different levels of rarity. Many of the Rare production bows keep surfacing every year, and some keep getting less and less as time passes. The 1961 PH is one of those that continues to surface from time to time.
Grant & Jack - Sorry I did not see the Pre- in the Super Kodiak of Zebra wood Riser with Phenolic Nose Caps. I missed the auction for that bow and have never seen any photographs of it. Maybe BowDoc or someone else can help us out…
If it was built on the original 1966 Kodiak frame, it would have to be considered a 1966. However, if it were an experimental bow, it could not also be considered a Production Bow.
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John - The 1961 and 1962s are all over the map with different combinations of bubinga, walnut, purple heart, Brazilian Rosewood and risers that are solid, 60/40 and I-Beam.
Can anyone identify the wood where the Serial #s are written on the center two bows? I'm not certain. The third from left, PH SW, may be Walnut? The second from the left does not look like Brazilian Rosewood? Can anyone identify these woods from my unprofessional photograph?
(http://members.cox.net/wadephillips/61-62X.JPG)
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Butternut perhaps?
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Wade and Jack- I don't know where Bowdoc is lurking today- I emailed him and he didn't answer but I'm sure he can and will shed a little more light on this at some point.To the best of my recollection and understanding the serial no. began with 7. As to the form it was built on, 66 or experimental, I couldn't say. You guys are far more knowledgable than I on the nuances between similar models. I usually go by simple things like glass color or woods and as you know, that can often be misleading. I do know that I've handled a bunch of Kodiaks over the years and this was one of the most striking looking and unusual ones I've seen. I hope I didn't muddy up the water. I'll keep trying Don- I can never find him when I need him...Grant
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Grant - I'm glad you brought up the Black Capped Zebra Wood bow so we can all learn about. Sounds like a cool bow to see regardless of what form it was built on.
I would just guess that BowDoc is out after that UFO Giant Bear today. I'm sure now that he let the cat out of the bag, he wants to snag it before someone else beats him to it.
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Not to be a wise a$$, and get way off course, but isn't Goncalo Alves known as Tigerwood? I have a 68 Grizzly built with it that is absolutely stunning. CKruse
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Thats cool. Take care of yourself. I've been stuck like that before, so it sounds like you are making the best of it! CKruse
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This no coin '59 Kodiak 64" 40# is a rare bow, I haven't shot it yet.... still deciding on where to put the compass...
(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d197/biggriz61/Rosewood59.jpg)
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I'll tell you where you can put the compass Chuck!!! LOL
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:scared: yikes
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:biglaugh: just kidding John...
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on the compass kodiak are you saying later ones are built on a different form? I have a 68inch kodiak II.
Dean
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Yes its true I did have the rare bird 1967 Kodiak.I got the bow from a well known Bear Archery bowyer who lived here in Washington.
Here's what he told me..there were about 48 of those built and handed out to salesmen as samples.
As Grant mentioned the riser was tigerwood the same wood used on the short lived 1967 or 1967 1/2 KH that has the black riser and tip overlays sometimes known to collecters as the type 1 1967 and they were recalled do to cracking in the risers which was really caused by step-thru stringing..The 1967 Kodiak has brown and white tip and riser overlays with black micarta caps looking just like a 1966 Kodiak in color but reverse riser overlays with black caps and I would say the bow was built more of the form or profile to a 1967 1/2 Super Kodiak rather then a 1966 Kodiak.
I will do my very best to get Timmy to come over and try and get my old pc working as thats where to pics are in that dead pc.I would not list the owners name without his OK but will ask if he maybe could email me some pics.
Here's how it went down that day.I listed the bow for 9.99 starting bid no reserve however I did put a BIN for 1,595.00 on the bow.It got bid on about 5-7 times and was about 200 and some change...bammm within 90 minutes of listing she was gone....gee's I'am a bo-ho.bd
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Thanks Don- I was beginning to wonder if I'd dreamed it, lol. Sure hope you can get some pics; what a beaut! Grant
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Yes I was sad to see it go.However I did manage to pay for my hunt that spring with the sale of it Thanks Fred....bd
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BowDoc – I can not thank you enough for taking the time to document your knowledge, ownership, and description of this very rare bow indeed.
The elusive 1967 Kodiak - a very interesting subject for this thread about rare Kodiaks. In fact, the 1967 Kodiak is so rare that most collectors have never seen one, myself included. Over the years there have been many rumors of its existence and your auction ending 90 minuets after starting with a $1,595 BIN, is a testament to its rarity. While I do know of several Kodiaks that have sold within the past 10 years for more than $1,595, there sure are not many going for more than that lately.
A little update for collectors who may not be aware of the mythical 1967 Kodiak…
The 1967 Bear Kodiak was featured on the full page 12 of the 1967 Bear Catalog. The color image of the bow is a normal 1966 Kodiak with serial number 6L301, 60”, 41#. This entire page in the 1967 Catalog appears to be identical in every way to the full page Kodiak description and images in the 1966 Bear Archery Catalog.
For 1965 and 1966 Kodiaks, collectors generally accepted that the first letter in the serial number designates the year the bow was manufactured.
Because the 1967 Catalog showed a 1966 Kodiak with the 6L301 serial number, many collectors assumed that the 1966 image was simply re-used for the 1967 Catalog, and that this same bow was made in 1967 using a serial number beginning with a “7”.
If a Kodiak surfaces that is identical to a 1966 Kodiak with a serial number beginning with a “7”, arguably, it could lay claim to being an advertised, documented 1967.
Frankly, BowDoc’s 1967 tigerwood riser with black caps, would undoubtedly be a much nicer looking bow.
BowDoc - Looking forward to seeing a photograph of it…
If 48 were built as BowDoc was told, there has to be more out there.
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Dean – Not sure exactly what you meant in your post when you stated…
“on the compass Kodiak are you saying later ones are built on a different form? I have a 68inch Kodiak II.
Yes, the 68” Kodiak II is a rare Kodiak for sure and certainty should be included in any discussion of Rare Kodiaks, even though it is perhaps not quite as rare as its little 56” bother.
I have four 68” Kodiak IIs. Two maple & two walnut risers. There is a noticeable difference between the maple and walnut bows as far as the forms they were built on. Also within each of the bows, there is a measurable difference of at least 1/8” in the riser width, edge of glass from back to belly.
I’ll try to get a photograph of them for you in the next few days.
It is an accepted fact that “All collectors are crazy.” It is also accepted that some are more crazy than others. Classifying a bow as different by one collector, can be meaningless to another collector.
I use the term “noticeable difference” when a difference is obvious to me, and should be obvious to anyone.
I use the term “measurable difference” when I can see a difference that may not be obvious to everyone, and I want be specific about that difference so I actually measure the difference.
Knowing there may be many slight differences between forms… we as collectors should establish what criteria should be used to classify a bow as being different?
Any collectors have any ideas ?
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Chuck - Yes, your "Rosewood SW No coin '59 Kodiak 64" is a rare bow (regardless of what location you and John decide to install a compass, just don't put the compass in the normal coin location). LOL
Not really certain how important this business of "no coin hole" / "no coin" in Kodiaks really is to other collectors.
While “No Coin” is unusual, its mystic may be a little over rated. As you can see from this photograph, 1959, 1960, 1961 and 1962 Kodiaks were all made with “No Coins”. While I have never seen a 1963, 1964, 1965 or 1966 with “No Coin”, I would not be surprised to see a photograph of one posted on this thread…
(http://members.cox.net/wadephillips/59-61-N2.JPG)
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Mine looks like the one posted on the thread just 68 inches blonde glass and all(looks almost pink). I didnt know if the handles were different. And if they were was it just the maple vs walnut or shape and size also?
Dean
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(http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z134/Horney_Toad/kodiak-67b.jpg)
(http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z134/Horney_Toad/kodiak-67-1.jpg)
Here are the pics of the "67" kodiak on auction one time.
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WOW. It really exists.
Now, we MUST see the Red Super Kodiak.
-Simon
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:thumbsup: Toad
I think the 68 and 69 are prettier though.
Trap
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Crap they put the window on the wrong side again :biglaugh:
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Originally posted by Wade Phillips:
Horney Toad – Jeff – Thank you so much for posting the photographs of the "67" in the earlier auction. A picture is still worth a thousand words.
Trap – Your statement regarding the “67”… “I think the 68 and 69 are prettier though.” – Your statement would be difficult for anyone to refute. But each collector has their own eye for beauty. – Sorry for the poor image shown below of a 68 SK…
(http://members.cox.net/wadephillips/68-SK.JPG)
After the “67” descriptions were posted, my hallucinations have been of a much different looking bow with a more sleek and sculptured riser more closely resembling a 1967 Super Kodiak, as shown above.
I envisioned the color combination of the riser materials to more closely resemble the 1967 Bear Catalog bow shown below… except with the wood and black reversed and the size of the cap area being closer to the SK shown above, and of course all brown glass limbs, as well as a much smaller and different shape…
(http://members.cox.net/wadephillips/67-SK-X.JPG)
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Toad you da man this week brother.I spent half the night looking for that pis..I owe you a soda at Denton Hill this summer.thanks dude....bd
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Thank God a picture showed up- I was beginning to question my own sanity- AGAIN. I agree that the riser is a bit "blocky" compared to the 68-69 and later models but I've seen a pretty wide variation in bulk from bow to bow in just about every model over the years. I currently have a pretty nice '69 that Dr. Ward took some of the bulge out of for me cause I like them on the thin side in the palm swell. I like the all black 67 1/2 as well, but this bow shown caught me by surprise and really made an impression on me from a cosmetic point of view. My first thoughts when I saw it was its resemblance to the Deluxe Wade posted pics of ( I think thats a DeLuxe but I can't be sure- maybe a Supreme- help me out here Wade) and I always kinda liked that color scheme. Grant
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Oh - I forgot to say "Thanks" to Toad for digging the pic up. So--Thanks...Grant
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Are Kodiak Specials legal to show in this thread or does it have to be only Kodiaks ???
If I may make a comment about the no coin hole bows ? Well thank you how'd you know I was gonna made it anyhow..
Please remember if someone orderd like I believe it was at least 50 bows at one time from companies like Wing Howatt Hoyt and yes even Bear Archery.They would do a little custom work kind of like on Jack Howards Damon Howatt bows Wing archery Browning bows.Those manufactures made bows for several different sporting good companies.There may have been a sporting goods store that orderd 50 Bear bows without coins.Viking Archery I believe was in Texas and used to be a Bear dealer they would order bows with no silk screens.Then they would add thier own Viking Archery decals to the Bear bows...bd
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BowDoc - Feel free to make any comments about the 1959 to 1962 "No Coin" Kodiaks shown. I believe the photograph pretty well illustrates that some "virgin" Kodiaks really exist. It is possible that other Bear bows also exist without coin holes, but I don't think we need to show them on this thread. Perhaps another thread titled... "The Virgin No Coin Bear Bows"... would be more appropriate for a complete discussion of that topic.
DowDoc - Yes, Bear and other bow makers were in business to make money. They would do anything special that was within reason if the customer was willing to pay enough money to make it worthwhile.
Bear's "Lady Kodiak" doesn't merit a complete discussion in a thread about Rare Kodiaks, but would be an example of what you mention. I have a short wooden paddle labeled "Skull Master, by Ben Pearson Pine Bluff Ark., Pat. Pend" that is an example of a non archery item Pearson produced to make money. There are numerous other examples of non archery items that were made by archery manufacturers.
I may just cut that image down of the 67 Catalog color combination so it will not be so easily recognizable as a Special... I don't think we want to get off on specials, deluxe, etc. It would get too confusing to try to keep up, and many are not interested all model bows.
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Grant – Yes the “67” is a bit blocky when compared to the 67 1/2 SK. To my untrained eye, its bulk looks more like a 66 Kodiak. The wood grain looks more like future wood, but I have complete faith in BowDoc’s identification of it as tigerwood.
Grant – Not sure which DeLuxe photograph you made reference to, possibly the one with leather grip, which I believe was shown in the thread about Bear strike plates and rests. The factory leather grip clear glass is a Kodiak Special DeLuxe as shown on the left side of the image in 1960 Bear Catalog. The Special DeLuxe has a lot of bulk, in the sight window, but many of them have real eye catching wood combinations.
The other bow you may have been referring to is the bow on the right side of the page. The Catalog image is misleading as it is very different than what collectors have come to call a Kodiak DeLuxe. This image is actually a 1960 Kodiak with Clear Glass.
Of the two “Clear Glass Kodiaks” that I know of one is reported (I have not seen it) to be a 1959 and the other is known to be a 1960. The 1960 is documented in the 1960 Catalog shown below, and is marked with a serial number, length and weight in the normal place. Both the 1959 and 1960 "Clear Glass Kodiaks" deserve mention in any discussion about Rare Kodiaks, although collector’s thoughts about these bows will likely vary.
(http://members.cox.net/wadephillips/TG-HOLY.JPG)
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Alright I was just wondering about the specials...yes I think Ben may have also had something to do with cotton harvesting...bd
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BowDoc - Forgot to ask you what the serial number is on the "67". From the small photographs, I can not pick it out.
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That is what I was wondering, if the serial number began with a 7.
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Dean – This photograph should help clear up your question. These two comparable weight 1954 Compass Kodiaks were made on two completely different forms and have noticeably different risers. The Maple Riser 54# belly is indented above the shelf, and the Walnut Riser 52# belly is protruding above the shelf. The riser area below the leather grip is also noticeably different with the maple riser being more symmetrical. The limbs are also recurved noticeably different.
(http://members.cox.net/wadephillips/54-68-WM.JPG)
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thank you Wadde. i didnt know the walnut kII looked so different. Mine is just like the bottom one.
Dean
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This may not be real rare; but at least it ain't common
(http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q291/bjornweb/DSCN2352.jpg)
The writing is black ink and there is no coin
(http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q291/bjornweb/DSCN2353.jpg)
And thanks to bowdoc's magic cleaner I was able to get rid of all the tape residue that you see in the pic!
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The serial# is BA 260 60" 48#.
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I'm confused now. The two Kodiaks I got Friday are supposed to be 58's. Both of them are Identical to the 57 that Wade has posted in the first picture of this thread. Did they make a white glass in 58?
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mullet - This old photograph shows the production evolution of the brown glass 1957 Kodiak to the identical bow but white glass... then to a totally and completely different form, the first 1958 which is a sow belly and has the same scalloped sight window as the 1957s (bow has white glass but was painted green), then to the most common 1958 the sow belly with the rounded sight window corner... Will try to take a new photograph and post it...
The two center bows are shown in the 1958 catalog... but the one at far right, sow belly with rounded sight window corner is not shown at all in the 1958 Catalog.
The name White Glass 1957 is an exact description of the bow, it was built on the 1957 Form or Frame. Even though some collectors call it a 1958 because it is one of the two different bows pictured in the 1958 Catalog. I believe some collectors call this bow the tapered 1958 or the Indented Belly 1958. Call it by any name you want, as all of these names would be correct for the second bow from the left. They are all one in the same...
(http://members.cox.net/wadephillips/57-58K.jpg)
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Interesting. I just picked up a 57-58 off the auction site. Don't have it yet. The fella described it as a 57-58 and suggested the buyer could call it whatever suited him. Said it had some characteristics of each. From the pix, it looks like the bow second from the left. Not a sow belly and not a rounded sight window. It appears to have brown or gray glass though. Difficult to tell from the pix. May have been painted. Won't know till I get it.
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Thanks Wade, I'm starting to think I may have gotten two different bows. The 55#,64",ser.#EG140 with an A above it, has a flat sight window.
The 45#, 60", ser.#EL928, is a Sow belly. I was told that when the 55# was bought on $pay, that it was painted and the owner stripped it.
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Thanks for the kind words about my MSW Wade.
If you have no plans for the coin you bought on eBat Trap said he has a Forstner bit I can borrow and perhaps you would be kind enough to send me the coin and I can install it in that bow. I already have a gold marker to spruce up the writing and make it more legible. Whatcha' think?
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Bjorn - I think the repro coin in the original coin location would be a wiser choice than a compass in the same location...
I have a near identical twin to your BA260 60" 48#, it is BA365 60" 55#. The only difference besides the weight is that the 55# is still a virgin, no quiver bushing hole. Before spring, I'm going to drill her out, but only for the quiver bushing. I'm not going to put a coin hole or compass hole in her. Of the four MSW 1959s that I have, it is the only one that is refinished and the only one I have left that I will use for hunting.
I have drilled out several 59 and 60 Kodiaks for quiver bushings, and always feel a little squeamish before starting. It is probably not a project for the weak at heart. I've never had any problems. I like sharp bits, pilot holes, well laid plans, plenty of time, and drilling into a knot free area.
Make sure you use one of those extra wide gold markers so your heirs can read the lettering. If you are right handed, you may want to do the lettering with your left hand. That should keep the next owner guessing about who re-lettered the bow.
If you want the repro coin, I will be happy to send it to you..
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:scared:
Bjorn, you feeling okay? You better get some rest.
Trap
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Orion - Yes, the 1957 - 1958 identification can be confusing. Until you see a photograph of the brown and white glass 1957 Kodiaks next to the two variations of the 1958 Sow Belly Kodiaks, it is really hard to know the easily recognizable differences.
mullet - The original 1957 and 1958 Kodiaks had the 1-Piece Strike Plate and Rest shown on the second bow from the left on the photograph of the 2-1957s and 2-1958s. The 1-Piece leather was bent into an "L" and the horizontal part formed the rest. These were the days before the raised rest.
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BowDoc - Toad and I still have unanswered questions on this thread for you about the "67" serial number...
Did the "67" have a serial number??? If so did it start with the number 7... ???
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Wade, I don't think BowDoc owns that bow. I was gonna ask you, on that picture you posted of the 67 kodiak from ther catalog with the half phenolic riser, was that picture from the catalog? I have a copy of the catalog and it shows the same bow as the 1966 kodiak.
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Jeff – Your last sentence above… “I have a copy of the catalog and it shows the same bow as the 1966 kodiak.”
I am guessing that you meant “Kodiak Special”, rather then “Kodiak”.
My 1967 Bear Catalog shows the Kodiak on page 12. The 1966 Catalog page for the Kodiak is identical but the page is not numbered.
My 1967 Bear Catalog shows the Kodiak Special on page 5, marked as 6G447, 66”, 35#, and with a Premier Bowsight factory installed.
The Premier Bowsight was removed from the 1967 Catalog image and posted to show the color combination of African Zebrawood and the Black High Compression Material.
I must say, the electronic removal of the Premier Bowsight was pretty clean. Not sure if the physical removal of a Premier Bowsight could be as transparent, but I’m sure BowDoc and Rich have examples of their work that would show the before and after, to be even better.
Originally, I posted the actual 1967 Catalog Image, then BowDoc asked about posting images of Kodiak Specials, and I told him I would go back and alter the image so the bow was not easily recognizable as a Kodiak Special… but failed to state that in the text above the altered image. As I said I was only trying to show the color combination, I was not trying to show the bow.
In this day and age of altered images, one should examine an image very carefully. Sometimes it is not possible to easily see that an image was altered, other times it may be impossible.
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Wade, actually I did mean the kodiak not the special. The picture you posted of the kodiak with the half high compression riser threw me. That is a pic of the special, correct? A handsome combination by the way.
I only have a copy of the bear catalogs I bought from Joe St Charles. It shows a 1967 kodiak which is identical to the kodiak shown in the 1966 catalog.
Did they have 2 different catalogs in 1967?
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Jeff - Yes that image of the Zebrawood and Black handle section is a greatly edited image of the 1967 Kodiak Special. It was my attempt to convey what I envisioned the color combination of 1967 Kodiak to be... boy was I wrong. The 1967 Polar used the same inset angle as the Special but used Zebrawood and bubinga. The Kodiak could have been so much more had different combination of materials been used.
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Wade, I'll bet you and I could design a mighty handsome 1967 if we had too!
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Thanks for the info Wade. Mine Kodiak appears to be a 57. Definitely has brown glass and does have the one piece arrow rest/strike plate. Very thin piece of leather. Too thin, I think. Have some other questions about it, but started a new thread, which I hope you'll check out. I don't want to clutter up this one with my questions.
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OK here's one you don't see every day
(http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q291/bjornweb/DSCN3279.jpg)
It is a 57/58 Kodiak with with the riser of a 1957 and the white glass of a 1958. It is 60" and 52#. Zero stress and the transfers were applied lovingly by Al himself; may he rest in peace.
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Bjorn - You have a very nice looking White Glass 1957 Kodiak.
Yes, the White Glass 1957 Kodiak with no stress is tuff one to find in 60" length in a nice hunting weight.
If stress-free and clean, the White Glass 57 is a very handsome bow. Unfortunately, old stress cracks in this bow are usually filled with dirt and the white glass can become very unattractive.
Acquiring all three lengths 56", 60" & 64", of the White Glass 1957 Kodiak in all original stress-free condition, is a memorable milestone when assembling a Kodiak Collection of every length and riser style from every production year from 1950 to 1966.
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Fairly uncommon, this little gem arrived today from that unmentionable auction site-anybody got any idea why we can't use that 4 letter word?
(http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q291/bjornweb/DSCN0685.jpg)
In any event, it is a 1955 Kodiak 56" amo and 36#@28"-double shelf, of course.
The 'Kodiak' decal has peeled off; but Trap says he has a spare-what a Prince!
The bow is a dandy, and I had been looking for years.
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Nice bow Bjorn,
Wade you never cese to amaze. I would love to view your collection someday.
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Let's all get together through Private messages to see what date works for all of us and just show up at his house on that day . ;)
Trap
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Bjorn - Glad to see you got the 56", 1955. I have its slightly heavier 39# twin brother with all decals. It is always a tuff year-length combination Kodiak to find in nice condition. Did you get that triple 56 for a song a few years back???
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I wish it had been me, Wade. The glass is really nice on the 1955 Kodiaks-isn't it? There are more 56 inchers for me to get-have a 1960 and now the '55.
You got a '59 that needs a new home?
Bjorn
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mwmwmb & Trap - If you guys want to plan a get together here before spring... just let me know what dates work for you guys. I need a bit of advance notice to clear a path to walk and to make sure we have enough cold beer on hand. You are welcome to spend the night, just bring a sleeping bag, there is lots of room.
I'm retired so can be here about any time and always enjoy having collectors with similar interests stop by. Over the years have had guys stop from all over the country. It is always a good time.
Shaun is stopping by this Friday on his way through to a pig hunt. So he will have first shot at all the extra stuff around here.
Right now I have over 200 extra old bows that need to find a new home, several quivers, lots of arrows and arrow boxes and thousands of extra broadheads... so bring lots of green stuff and trading material.
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Bjorn - The only 56" 1959 Kodiak that I have as an extra is LH. Don't now if you are really into collecting 56" Kodiaks, or just looking for shooters of the various years. Your 1955 and 1960 are certainly a good start either way.
Guess I categorize a total of 11 different 56" Kodiaks, if my math is correct...
2-1954s
1-1955
1-1956
2-1957
2-1958
1-1959
2-1960
There could easily be one or two more 56" Kodiaks that may show up some day...
The 56 inchers are a pretty tuff Kodiak length to complete just to get one from each year.
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Now that would be quite the accomplishment to complete that list! I wonder if anyone has them all-do you have them all, Wade?
I am at the point where I don't worry about shooting all my bows anymore........although most have a working string attached still.
A lefty 56" 59 K eh? I'll sleep on it!
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Bjorn - Yes, I have had all 11 of those 56" Kodiaks for a few years now. Those 11 are all actual production bows. Also have another exp 56" Kodiak that can not be included as a production bow. As mentioned earlier, there may be one or more additional 56" Kodiaks that could show up someday. If one does show up on auction, I hope I either miss seeing it, or have just hit the big lottery.
After you have slept on it, let me know your thoughts on the LH 56" 1959 Kodiak. It is 46#. No rush on my part as it has been here for several years.