Trad Gang
Main Boards => Trad History/Collecting => Topic started by: Tim Fishell on May 19, 2009, 08:21:00 AM
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I started a collection last year of bows that are made in Michigan. So far I have all modern bows (Shrews, Griffin, Firefly, Thunderstick) but I think my collection would not be complete without a Grayling made Bear. And I figured if I am going to start my search for one why not aim for the top. So my question is what years did Bear make takedowns while still in Grayling Michigan and how hard is it to come across these bows? I dont know much about the old Bear bows and from what I have searched these are pricey and a little hard to find. Thanks for your input and have a great day.
Tim
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TIM
If you want the best...I have it. First year, 1970 B Riser, brown bears on the clamps. Ultra Cherry, with 50# Black limbs-white tips. I have $1500 in it and will let it go for that plus shipping.
It does have one very small fleck in the finish, and very minor indications of being shot on the arrow plate. It also has the built in Bear Premier hunting sight with three ring pins.
I am retiring and will start thinning out my collection.
Let me know if you are interested.
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Thanks for the offer Jack and I will definatly keep it in mind. Right now I have just started my search so I was just curious what I should keep my eye out for. Your bow sounds like the crown jewel.
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I was just searching the internet for information and had another question on this. I found that they were made in Grayling from 1970-1972 then some were put together from left over parts in the following couple of years. Were all of these bows the magneseum risers?
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Tim- The takedown (wooden) was made from '69 -'72. They appeared in the catalogue in 1970. There are considerable differences between the styleI and the styleII so you almost have to have both to review the evolution of the bow. The takedown was made on a limited basis up through 1976 and re-introduced around '79 after the move to Gainesville. I own samples of all these bows and honestly believe the Gainesville model is more to Mr. Bear's personal preferences than either of the first models. The Style I is blocky and overbuilt, with a flared heel and an elevated finger rest like a Tamerlane and the Style II is boogered up with a cut-out sideplate and a scalloped finger rest area resulting in a radical "S" shape to the grip. Mr. Bear's personal bow was a Style I sans the finger pad and bulky handle- very similar to the green-stripe Gainesville riser and the Signature model. My Style I- my primary hunting bow- is modified to those dimensions and I couldn,t care less what it does to the collector value. The price Jack quoted you is a good deal, BTW. I rarely say "best" referring to anything, but, while these bows may not (aren't) the fastest ever built, they are the smoothest shooting,most ingeneously designed, bows ever built IMO. Good luck on your search. Grant
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Well said GY.....bd
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Thanks a lot guys. That clears things up.
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I don't know much about the Bear bows, but Grant, my Type 1 A riser fits my hand just perfect and I love it. I have two sets of limbs, #2 red tips that are 60# on this riser and a set of #3 white tips that are 65# on this riser.
Danny
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Danny,and you never gave a detailed report of thhat bow to your beloved friend oversea,Felix
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They are very popular Danny- merely pointing out differences in models. Grant