Trad Gang
Main Boards => Trad History/Collecting => Topic started by: Wade Phillips on August 30, 2009, 03:51:00 PM
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Hopefully this updated draft list satisfies collectors' numerous requests for information about identifying Bear Grizzly bows. As additional information surfaces, it will be copied and added here on the first page of this thread so we all have a quick & easy reference…
Grizzly Static Recurve, Single Shelf, Leather Rest Wedged Under Leather Grip, 62”
1949 & 1950 - Woven Glass Back, Alum Lamination under Walnut or Cherry on Belly (1949 & 1950 difference explained below first image)
1951 – Blond Glass on Back, Alum Lamination under Cherry on Belly
1952 – Blond Glass on Back & Belly
1953 – Red/Orange Glass on Back & Belly
(http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z117/katswal/020GRIZ2049-53_zps2108adf3.jpg) (http://s190.photobucket.com/user/katswal/media/020GRIZ2049-53_zps2108adf3.jpg.html)
Early 1949 Grizzly bows had one of two types of rectangular specification water transfer decals that were inscribed with each bow’s individual specifications. Although different in size & recorded information, both types of specification decals are yellow with a brown boarder.
Below - The earliest known specification decal on a 1949 Grizzly designates the LBS (draw weight) and NO. (serial number), and is on NO. 104, in the johnnyrazorhead collection as shown in the image below …
(http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo301/WadePhillips/1949%20Grizzly%20104%20Decal.jpg) (http://s386.photobucket.com/user/WadePhillips/media/1949%20Grizzly%20104%20Decal.jpg.html)
Below - The second, and not as rare, early 1949 Grizzly specification decal designates the bow’s PULL (draw weight), LENGTH, and NO. (serial number). This smaller 1/2” x 3/4” rectangular water transfer, specification decal was first used on the pre-Grizzly Bear bows, in 1948, known to collectors as Transition Bows, and then was later used on perhaps 2,000 or more of the 1949 Grizzly bows as shown below.
(http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo301/WadePhillips/1949%20Grizzly%202433%20Decal.jpg) (http://s386.photobucket.com/user/WadePhillips/media/1949%20Grizzly%202433%20Decal.jpg.html)
Later 1949 & beyond Grizzly bows had the draw weight and serial number inscribed below the leather grip.
(http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo301/WadePhillips/1949GrizLate.jpg) (http://s386.photobucket.com/user/WadePhillips/media/1949GrizLate.jpg.html)
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Grizzly Static Recurve, Double Shelf, RH & LH Shelf Cut Into Riser, Wedge Sight Window, 62”
1954 – Red/Orange Glass, Wood Brush Nocks on Belly, Decals
1955 – Black Glass, 4" Wood Tip Laminations on Belly, Decals
1956 – Black Glass, 4" Wood Tip Laminations on Belly, Silk Screens
1957 – Black Glass, < 2" Tip Overlays on Back, 7" Dark Wedge Insert at tip between laminations, Silk Screens
(http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z117/katswal/GRIZ4-7A_zpsbfc60d62.jpg) (http://s190.photobucket.com/user/katswal/media/GRIZ4-7A_zpsbfc60d62.jpg.html)
1954 – Red/Orange Glass, Wood Brush Nocks on Belly, Decals
1955 – Black Glass, 4" Wood Tip Laminations on Belly, Decals
1956 – Black Glass, 4" Wood Tip Laminations on Belly, Silk Screens
1957 – Black Glass, < 2" Tip Overlays on Back, 7" Dark Wedge Insert at tip between laminations, Silk Screens
(http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z117/katswal/GRIZ4-7C_zps6f442991.jpg) (http://s190.photobucket.com/user/katswal/media/GRIZ4-7C_zps6f442991.jpg.html)
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Grizzly 1958-1963, Working Recurve, Single Shelf, 62"
1958 – Gray Glass, Wedge Sight Window
1959 – Carmel Glass Belly, Pea Green Back, 2 Light Chevrons in Sight Window
1960 – Carmel Glass Belly, Pea Green Back, 1 Light Chevron in Sight Window
1961 – Camo Painted (spray or leaf pattern)
1962 – White Glass
1963 – Aqua Glass, Angled Dogleg Riser
1963 – Aqua Glass, Angled Dogleg Riser
1963 – Aqua Glass, Curved Dogleg Riser
(http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z117/katswal/Grizzly201958-1963_zpsb0ebcf8b.jpg) (http://s190.photobucket.com/user/katswal/media/Grizzly201958-1963_zpsb0ebcf8b.jpg.html)
Grizzly, Working Recurve 1964 – 1969
1964 – Brown Glass, Solid Zebrawood Riser
1965 – Brown Glass, Solid Zebrawood Riser, 5P
1966 – Gray Glass, Solid Bubinga Riser, 6P
1967 – Gray Glass, Solid Bubinga Riser, 7R (not shown in image below)
1967.5 – Brown Glass, Solid Bubinga Riser, 7R
1968 – Brown Glass, Solid Tigerwood Riser, 8R (duplicates shown in image below)
1969 – Forest Green Glass, Solid Shedua Riser, 9R
Sorry to post a poor quality image, could not get flash to work & could not find the blue background cloth... will try to get better image later.
(http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo301/WadePhillips/1964-1969%20Grizzly%20Bows2.jpg) (http://s386.photobucket.com/user/WadePhillips/media/1964-1969%20Grizzly%20Bows2.jpg.html)
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Nice job Wade. I did not know about the different woods for the 49-50-51 bows; anybody got alu under Maple? :bigsmyl:
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Bjorn - Mistake on the list, just edited... sorry...
The 1950 & 51 Kodiak has light wood over the Alum Lam and believe I have seen the light wood over the alum lam only on one Grizzly, did not mean to add that one to the list as it is the exception not the rule for the Grizzly.
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Wade, is it correct to also see Micarta on '59's and glass tips on '60's?
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y'all could write a book about this collecting stuff....
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Chuck - Good idea. I may do that. Not sure when I would find the time, maybe between midnight and 6 AM when I am usually sleeping...
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yea Wade, I was just giving you a little nudge in the right direction. Let me know when you are having the first book signing! I'll bring the beer.
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Kenny - For Kodiaks and Kodiak Special tips there is usually marcarta on 1959s and glass on 1960s. Would guess the Grizzly is the same, but have not owned enough of them to say for sure with any certainty. Bjorn could answer that one as he has probably owned more 1959 and 1960 Grizzly bows than most of us have actaully seen.
Have seen some 1959 Kodiak Specials with glass overlays, and know that many tip overlays have been replaced. For 1959 and 1960 bows, I would not use the overlay material to differentiate the years as the risers are really the key to easily distinguishing which year the bow was made.
While the tip material can be easily changed or replaced, the wood in the risers can not be changed or replaced...
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Chuck - If you are offering to bring the beer, I will get back to work on that book right away!!!
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Wade, I will take care of the Pizza....
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Free Beer and Pizza, WOW. I may just bang something out tonight and call it complete!
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I’ve one Bear Grizzly to show and four questions.
This particular Grizzly is 62 inches, 53 pounds and is factory camoed. Its serial number is 21AL86.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v628/TimberlineX/1961BearGrizzly007.jpg)
Because it is factory camoed, I assume that it’s a 1961 model. However, its grip is black leather, which is different from the tan leather shown on the Grizzly in my 1961 Bear catalog. And the camo is also different from the camo shown in the catalog. The catalog shows stenciled leaves. The bow features sprayed green, black and brown stripes.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v628/TimberlineX/1961BearGrizzly003.jpg)
Here’s the 1961 catalog page.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v628/TimberlineX/1961BearGrizzlyCatalogPage.jpg)
QUESTIONS
Does this appear to indeed be a 1961 Grizzly?
What’s with the black leather grip?
Did the factory camo on the production 1961 Bear Grizzlies actually feature stenciled leaves as shown in the catalog?
Does anyone else have photos of a factory-camoed 1961 Grizzly?
By the way, this bow is an excellent shooter!
Bill Krenz
Colorado
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Bill
Your riser certainly has the '61 shape.
I have a 1960 kodiak with an identical grip. Maybe special order, though I find no reference to it.
Can't speak to the camo job, could be any number of reasons that is different.
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Bill - Nice Bear Micro-Flite Arrow! That is one of my favorite Bear cresting patterns.
The black leather grip of your bow looks like the textured black leather grip used on the 1963 Dogleg Grizzly...
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Bill,
I also have a '61 that had the same camo as your's. When I got it the leather had been removed, and it was partially sanded down.
The leather is the same as on a '63 Cub I bought for my wife.
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All of the black grips I have seen where on the '63 Cubs. All the Grizzlies I have seen where the classic brown.It looks like a rather unique bow to me.
So why were there two different dog leg patterns in '63? I have never heard of any problems with the design except for the KM's.
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Ken - I have seen the black textured grip on a 1963 Grizzly just like pictured in the 1963 catalog.
At Grayling in 1997, I was offered (but turned down) a bow with the same black textured leather grip, which looked factory original. If I remember correctly the bow was a 1961 Kodiak Factory Camo. I remember thinking at the time that someone probably sent the 1961 Kodiak back to the factory in 1963 for some work and got a 1963 Grizzly grip.
Can not explain the reasons for the two 1963 Grizzly riser designs e.g., Angled Dogleg and Curved Dogleg, or whatever you want to call them.
(http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo301/WadePhillips/63-GRIZ.jpg)
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Bill, here is the leafy camo version. Oddly enough I have the opposite grip configuration of both your '61 and Wade's '63.
But there is a star on the serial number on my '63, so I am assuming it was sent to the factory for reconditioning and they put on the current year grip just as Wade guessed about your '61.
Bernie
(http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/tt177/CrookedStick/twoGriz640.jpg)
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Bernie - Sweet looking bows.
That is a super Dogleg. Heck, I would even trade you that poster you want of the Bear Hunter for that Dogleg. :saywhat:
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Thanks Wade,
I MIGHT think about that trade if it included the bow used to kill the bear in the pic.
Now that I look at it, I should re-take that photo with just the '60 Razorheads--the '64s are too high tech for the photo...duh.
Bernie
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Bernie - I was joking about the trade.
Besides, I don't have that Grizzly in the photograph with the Bear Hunter. However, I do have his 1959 Kodiak that is in the photograph of him with his 1961 Bear. That is a great photograph too.
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See...good thing you were joking, because I didn't go back and look up that thread to be sure and I was actually thinking about the '59 K and the '61 bear!
Anyway, back to the topic--I know the thread is about the 'leather grip' years, but I still can't bring myself to put the leather grip back on my '59-those bowyers just did a fantastic job with the wood...basically we were getting almost-custom bows:
(http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/tt177/CrookedStick/GrizRiser1.jpg)
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Most collectors I know of are primarily focused on Kodiaks-me too. I also collect Grizzlies, from 1949 to 1963 they tracked the more expensive Kodiaks on a year by year basis-sometimes very closely.
Here are two 1963 Grizzlies
(http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q291/bjornweb/Dscn0694.jpg)
You'll notice one of them is a Greyhound while the other is a Husky.
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Bjorn - Nice Doglegs... Greyhound and Husky are catchy names...
In an effort to try to give them a descriptive name to assist collectors to identify these two bows, I have been calling them Angled Dogleg and Curved Dogleg. There are probably better names that could be used.
We should try to come up with a brief description that will aid collectors in identifying them.
Any ideas ???
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OK. In the meantime I'll post pics and descriptions of '55 and '56 Grizzlies.
Be back in a flash!
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The '55 and '56 Grizzlies were both R/L shooters just like the corresponding Kodiaks.
(http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q291/bjornweb/DSCN0950.jpg)
The lower bow is the '56
The same bows again but showing the sticker on the '55 and the silk screen on the '56
(http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q291/bjornweb/DSCN0945.jpg)
The underlay of the '55 Grizzly really sets the two bows apart
(http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q291/bjornweb/DSCN0947.jpg)
And no story is complete without a pic of the tips.
(http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q291/bjornweb/DSCN0952.jpg)
The lower bow is the 1955 model.
Both risers are made of hard rock Maple, black glass limbs, and the tiny tips.
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Nice '63s Bjorn! I am glad I'm not the oddball with the brown leather grip too.
Husky is definitely appropriate.
Bernie
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Sorry guys and gals........my mind is on my Elk hunt coming up in a coupla' days. Wade pointed out the infraction, the bows in the pics are a '55 and '57. The '55 and '56 are identical except for the stickers ('55) and silkscreen ('56).
As a consolation let me show off my fav 1959 Grizzly which has a really wild Bubinga sight window and a butcher block riser. A correct coin has since replaced the one in the pic.
(http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q291/bjornweb/59grizzlies.jpg)
I refinished the bow using Tru Oil. It is 52#@28 and shoots awesome.
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Great thread, learning a lot here.
This is a '49-'50 alumilam grizzly with a wound on leather grip.
Is it a later replacement, or possibly original?
(http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii233/pickax/49-50grizzly001.jpg)
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Bjorn, that butcher block '59 is a beauty!!
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The profile of a '57 Grizz
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/fliksr/Bows%20for%20Sale/th_57Grizz00000.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v212/fliksr/Bows%20for%20Sale/?action=view¤t=57Grizz00000.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/fliksr/Bows%20for%20Sale/th_57Grizz00005.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v212/fliksr/Bows%20for%20Sale/?action=view¤t=57Grizz00005.jpg)
Side view of the tips - notice the extra tapered lamination to stiffen the tips up.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/fliksr/Bows%20for%20Sale/th_57Grizz00004.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v212/fliksr/Bows%20for%20Sale/?action=view¤t=57Grizz00004.jpg)
And the '58 Grizzly (second up from the bottom)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/fliksr/Bows%20for%20Sale/th_DSCN2004.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v212/fliksr/Bows%20for%20Sale/?action=view¤t=DSCN2004.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/fliksr/Bows%20for%20Sale/th_DSCN2003.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v212/fliksr/Bows%20for%20Sale/?action=view¤t=DSCN2003.jpg)
The '58 catalog (the reprint I have anyway) shows a wedge sightwindow, but all the '58 Grizzlies I've seen have the same sightwindow cutout as the '58 Kodiak. Has anyone seen a wedged window, or was that just from one of the first '58 Grizz proptypes?
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seboomook - Nice looking 49-50 Grizzly.
From the photograph, the grip looks like a tennis wrap leather grip to me.
Although I have never seen any Bear documentation showing the tennis wrap grip, I have seen a few other 49-50 Bear bows with a tennis wrap grip.
I have a 1950 Kodiak K-2 with a red tennis wrap grip. K-2 was a 62" Kodiak, which I have never found in any Bear advertisement for 1950. The grip is not in real good shape. It has probably been on the bow since 1950, but I can not say for sure that it is original to the bow. Have also seen one other that has the same red tennis wrap grip, so it makes me wonder even more.
A real close look sometimes reveals some evidence of a previous grip, a glue line, lighter or darker wood, finish missing, etc.
Looking at a 49-50 Grizzly with a normal grip will give you a good idea about where to look for evidence of a previous grip that may have been on your bow.
Sometimes, it is just hard to tell if a grip is original to a bow. If the original grip was shot, the tennis wrap is an easier replacement for most bowmen than the normal 1949-50 Grizzly grip. There is a possibility that the bow was refinished in the early 1950s, by someone other than Bear, and all the evidence of an earlier grip was removed during refinishing. There is always the possibility of the lunch box special, or the special order or special favor for an eccentric customer who just has to have that tennis wrap on their bow. Lots of possible explanations.
Unless we find some documented evidence from the 1949-50 era, we may never know if the 1949-1950 tennis wrap grips were put on by Bear.
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Yes Wade, a closer look with the magnifier (thanks for that tip), shows a faint glue line above the serial number. Learning new terminology also, tennis wrap grip is much more descriptive.
Jeremy, all both (lol) of the '58s I've seen have the rounded site window. I'm guessing there was a transition wedge window from '57 like the Kodiaks?
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seboomook - Your description of "wound on leather grip" is certainly accurate. Guess I always called it a tennis wrap grip because that is what I have seen on tennis rackets, I'm not even a tennis player so wouldn't be surprised to learn there are many different wraps in tennis racket handles...
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Jeremy & seboomook -
Yes the 1958 Bear Catalog images of bows are "Non-Typical" from what is normally found by collectors... Boy, an entire book could probably be written about the 1958 Catalogs vs. the bows that were actually made... There are two different 1958 Catalogs (just found this out recently, who knows there may be more then two) and both known versions show the three bows, Kodiak Special, Kodiak and Grizzly the same from what I have been able to determine...
However, the images of these three bows in the catalogs are very different than the bows we collectors normally find for 1958...
Confusing.... YES !!! ... Oh, YES, but that is part of what makes collecting these old Bears so much fun, discovering the previously undocumented variations and inconsistencies... "Going where no man has ever gone before"... The continual Learning experience of collecting and the joy of sharing the information with others who have similar interests, and each bit of additional information building on the foundation of the previous bit of documented information... truly an "on going eduction" for all...
The 1958 Grizzly on page 7 has a wedge sight window, but we accept the rounded sight window as being the "Typical" 1958 Grizzly.
While most are "Typical", at least one "Non-Typical" was made and featured in the 1958 Catalog...
If anyone has a "Non-Typical" 1958 Grizzly as shown in the 1958 Catalog, please post photographs of it both un-strung and strung...
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What a great thread :clapper: :clapper:
Thanks for the ID Guide fellas and the eye candy is "all good" also.
Trap
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Holy Dogleg Batman, this Husky wasn't inexpensive... 280390719682
The Greyhound a few days ago, 170374484224, was a c-note less.
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Here is a old 1959 Bear Grizz.. it said 62" but some one cut it down to 58"
(http://i647.photobucket.com/albums/uu197/TradBowKid/Billsbows019.jpg)
(http://i647.photobucket.com/albums/uu197/TradBowKid/Billsbows021.jpg)
(http://i647.photobucket.com/albums/uu197/TradBowKid/Billsbows018.jpg)
(http://i647.photobucket.com/albums/uu197/TradBowKid/Billsbows020.jpg)
(http://i647.photobucket.com/albums/uu197/TradBowKid/Billsbows022.jpg)
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Here's an oddball '58 Kodiak I thought I would show y'all.Not sure if I should post it on this thread about the tennis wrapped grip or the odd length thread of the 64" 1959 Grizzly.Got this bow awhile ago,turns out it's a 1958 Kodiak with a tennis wrapped grip and in the odd length(for a '58 Kodiak)of 62".I showed it with another '58 Kodiak I got years ago.It's a 56" Kodiak that I got from a former employee of Bear.It originally had the same type tennis wrap grip on it when I got it but I sold it and eventually got it back.The guy I sold it to took off the tennis grip and found a quiver insert underneath.He re-wrapped it more like most Kodiaks are found with a single,large piece of leather wrapped around the grip.Notice too that both these bows are missing the dark laminate stripe on both sides of the riser that is usually found on most all other '58 Kodiaks I have seen.I don't have one to show,maybe someone else does.Just some more oddball bows from Grayling.
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e24/detroitdeerslyer/MVC-001S-1.jpg)
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e24/detroitdeerslyer/MVC-002S.jpg)
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e24/detroitdeerslyer/MVC-003S.jpg)
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1963 Dogleg Grizzly's
(http://i516.photobucket.com/albums/u322/0710point/1253379712.jpg)
(http://i516.photobucket.com/albums/u322/0710point/1253379713.jpg)
(http://i516.photobucket.com/albums/u322/0710point/1253379721.jpg)
(http://i516.photobucket.com/albums/u322/0710point/1253379721-1.jpg)
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Love that bubinga sight window !
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Is there a chance that a '60 would have the 2 chevrons. I just recieved what I was told was a '60, with glass tips and 2 chevron riser.
Do I now have 2 '59's? :scared: :saywhat:
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come on kenny no pics? :bigsmyl: <><
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Kenny - My guess is that you have two 1959s. The riser shape, laminations and wood type should be used to age bows, rather then the easily changed cosmetic features such as coins, silk screens, tip overlays, etc,
In addition to the 1959 having two chevrons vs only one chevron for the 1960..., the 1959 Grizzly usually has a thin grip. The 1960 Grizzly usually has a noticeably fater grip, that almost feels like a tennis ball under the leather.
(http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo301/WadePhillips/7ff8e3a9.jpg)
(http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo301/WadePhillips/d6322c23.jpg)
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Thanks for your outstanding input Wade.
Here are some pics.
(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f143/4runr/SA400246.jpg)
My '59 is the one with the quiver.
(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f143/4runr/SA400248.jpg)
Heavier handle and riser on the ?'60.
(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f143/4runr/SA400252.jpg)
Both are sweet shooting and very similar in cast. My '59 is 48@28 my ?60' is 43@28.
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Kenny,
I would have to guess that your Grizzly with the fat grip is a transition from 1959 to the 1960 model.
We need to remember that there are many of these transition bows from many years, where some features from both years are present. All features did not just change at the same day, hour, minute and second on the assembly line. Sometimes, it was an evolution over several days or more.
As I have said before, the criteria that I use to establish a year is first and foremost the riser shape, simply put the riser shape can not change, but everything else can be changed.
If we use Riser Shape as the #1 determining factor, your Grizzly would be a 1960.
If you use a different criteria as the #1 determining factor in this example, you will have to always use that same criteria in every other example for every other bow.
Laminations or wood type would not be an accurate #1 criteria to determine the year for many Bear bows.
Perhaps someone else has thought out this process in more detail and has a more accurate method of assigning a year to bows, and in particular those that transition from one year to the next...
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All makes sense to me Wade. I appreciate your input.
Makes the bow more collectable in my mind because it's unique.
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Kenny - You could probably build a collection of well over a dozen different configurations and transitional variations of the 1959 and 1960 Grizzly bows.
Some guys like the standard Bear Kodiak or Grizzly bows, some guys like the unusual configurations, mistakes or transitional bows, I like them all.
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Yep, the sickness has hit me too!
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Originally posted by Wade Phillips:
The 1958 Grizzly on page 7 has a wedge sight window, but we accept the rounded sight window as being the "Typical" 1958 Grizzly.
While most are "Typical", at least one "Non-Typical" was made and featured in the 1958 Catalog...
If anyone has a "Non-Typical" 1958 Grizzly as shown in the 1958 Catalog, please post photographs of it both un-strung and strung...
Here you go Wade,
My '58 is identical to the one in the catalog.
(http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m100/rltjlt/003.jpg)
(http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m100/rltjlt/002-1.jpg)
(http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m100/rltjlt/006.jpg)
(http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m100/rltjlt/007.jpg)
Sorry, I got in on this one a little late!
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Bob - Nice Grizzly, the first model of the 1958. Thanks for posting the photographs.
We'll call it Gray Glass, Wedge Sight Window.
Will add your last photograph to the first page when we get a good shot of the second 1958 Grizzly with the rounded sight window... The text for both had been added to the first page...
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Thanks Wade,
The glass is actually green, it only looks gray due to my poor photography!
It is really a nice little bow, the grip and strike plate show some age but otherwise it's pretty much mint and a great shooter.
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Bob, now that's something I didn't think I'd get to see! It does look like it's the standard gray glass though. The yellowing in the finish makes it look green
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gray and yellow = light green.My next mission will be to make a take down from the 1958 Grizzly cool bows great shooters.bd
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Jeremy,
I'll try to get some better pictures, I hadn't thought about the gray + yellow thing I will have to look a little closer though.
bowdoc,
That sounds like something I need, a '58 Grizzly take down. I do think I'll keep this one as is though. If I can find another one that needs a face lift hmmm...
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BobT, Nice looking 1958 Grizzly.
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Just added this very poor composite photograph to the first page with the text explanations of characteristics for each of these years... a work in progress...
(http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo301/WadePhillips/4709b7e4.jpg)
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Very istructional,so how must be, a 57 Grizzly string, long?£" less like in a longbow or 4" like a recurve?
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cacciatore - If you read the text in the 1957 Catalog, for the three bows mentioned below, you will see that Bear made reference to three types of recurves....
Working recurve - Kodiak
Conventional recurve - Grizzly (static recurve)
Semi-Recurve - Polar
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ttt
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Back up for the Grizzley lovers. Too Bad Wade removed his primo photos
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Think Wade had photobucket issues and lost a bunch.......or something?
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Guys,
Sorry about the photobucket images. Not sure what happened as I haven't been using it much for over a year.
I'll see if I can get them re-posted. In the meantime you can email me and I'll try to email the images to you.
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ttt
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Could a '53 have a running bear decal? Possible? Normal?
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Possible.
1953 could have either an earlier small running bear decal or the later,and larger standing bear decal commonly found on Bear bows of 1954 and 1955. I believe the patent applied for decal changed to Canada 1953 when the standing bear decal began showing up.
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Thanks Tony
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Well, I got a new toy...
I believe an early 1953!
(http://i.imgur.com/YVoR344.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/05B8Fyr.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/oeZ1RRv.jpg)
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Nice to see it out in the sunlight. Love those grizzlies.
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Nice bow!
I have been on this site for 5 years and have owned a couple dozen Grizzlys...and never knew this thread was out there!
Thank you
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ttt
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TTT
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I hope I'm not contributing to any potential marital discord, but there's a 1954 that appears to be in very nice condition currently listed on the auction site as a longbow. (I've sent the seller a correction.)
I'd be bidding but it's just 40# and i'm not interested at that weight. I suspect that some of you might be among the 23 currently watching ... :saywhat:
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Hi Guys,
I'm new to the forum as well as new to archery,
I'm 51 years old and have a 12 year old daughter and 7 year old son. I want to get them going on archery as well.
Right now I'm trying to date a Bear Grizzly bow that I found at my parents house. It measures 59" it appears to be all wood except for a layer of fiberglass at the knocks. The numbers on the bow are 19045B and 62#.
There is a running Bear Logo and a "Pat applied for" Logo.From what Ive seen, my best guess is between 1948 and 1953.
I have not seen any 59" bows at all, I seen 58" and 60" but not 59". I do not have it strung, does that make a difference?
Any ideas on age please let me know.
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You say 62#...but could that really be 62". If the number is above the serial, it's most likely the length.
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The no glass part is puzzling me. Pre 49 maybe?
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boycer01 -
Without a photograph, you make it a bit of a guessing game to accurately date your bow.
However, my uneducated first guess is 1953...
The bow probably has blonde glass on the back, which likely closely matches the wood color, so you didn't initially realize the backing was actually glass and not wood. This glass color can vary a lot as can the wood color.
If you really have an all wood Grizzly, you have a real prize, or one one which the glass has delaminated, which I serious doubt as you mention the glass overlays at the nocks.
That glass at the nocks is likely cut straight across rather then diamond pointed, which was the cut pattern used on the earlier Grizzlies.
Lon -
Before 1954 there was no length measurement written on any Bear Grizzly that I have ever seen. Only the serial number and the weight are written on these bows.
The measurement 59" is valid for a tip to tip measurement of the 1953 Grizzly. That of course will vary a bit depending on how much set the limbs have taken from the bow being strung.
I'm guessing the point that you were getting to with the question about 62# being 62" is the fact the static Grizzly was a 62" bow as bows were categorized in those days.
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Hi all
Firstly, THANK you all very much for such great source of information. I'm beginner and humble collector of Grizzly bows. Till now, I could use just several PDF copies of old catalogs and it was quite hard job to date some bows. This thread helps me a lot. Thanks
I'd like to know your opinion. I found this Bear Grizzly bow at ****, and I'm little bit confused. I've already decided not to buy it, but I wonder, what model actually it is .. or it could be ..
(http://www.bowhunter.cz/FreeDownloads/Grizzly64.jpg)
There are some facts, that confuse me :
- there is AMO 64" !? As far as I know Grizzlies were just 62, later 58 and 56, then 58 again. But none 64" . Some special order ??
- bow has Aluminium in it, so it should be year 49-51. But AMO length is written on the riser .. which looks strange for me ... as Wade wrote, here in this topis, this note :
"...Before 1954 there was no length measurement written on any Bear Grizzly that I have ever seen. Only the serial number and the weight are written on these bows..."
So there should be just serial number and draw weight ... not length ..
- and yes, there is new leather on grip and arrow pad, but seller admited it in auction ...
What is your opinion about this bow ? Again, I just wonder ...
Sorry for my English and thank you for you comments.
Jan
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Jan -
Glad you find this thread to be a useful source of information about Grizzly bows.
The lettering on the bow does not look original to me. With the replacement grip and strike plate, would also guess someone refinished the bow and added the lettering and guessed at the length.
Your bow looks like the center bow in the first photograph on page 1 of this thread which states....
"1951 – Blond Glass on Back, Alum Lamination under Cherry on Belly"
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Wade .. thank You for Your comment
(I'm sorry for delay, but I was almost two weeks at holiday - without computer and Internet access )
Jan
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ttt
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As my adiction for collecting bows has slowly and steadily crept up on me over the past few years I recently acquired this beautiful '61 camo.
It's in way better condition then I am considering we were both born the same year.
(http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q93/Kingtaken/Bear%20Grizzly%20Bows/imagejpg1-1.jpg) (http://s134.photobucket.com/user/Kingtaken/media/Bear%20Grizzly%20Bows/imagejpg1-1.jpg.html)
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Ttt
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Thanks for posting pictures Mr. Phillips. Now I know for sure my grizzly is a 1959. I had a hard time telling the difference between the 59-60
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Another great thread from the past. Thanks Trap
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Ttt
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Made a few updates to the first page to aide in identification.
http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=14;t=003114
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Was looking through the different Grizzly bows shown here and on another thread about the Grizzlys and didn't see any like these so I thought I would add them to the post for any input.They are different than most of the other early 1949 Grizzlys I have seen so I am thinking these bows may be earlier than that,possibly made during the 1948 "transition" era.Both of these Grizzlys have the word Grizzly written on them in black ink similar to the writing I have seen on many transition era bows.Not written in the same spot on both of them and one of them has some additional writing that goes up under the leather grip.Tried to make out what it says but difficult without removing the leather grip.Both have the earlier square decal similar to the transition bows,both with low,3-digit serial numbers.The biggest difference I see on these two bows from most of the early aluminum lam Grizzlys is the lack of tip overlays on the back side of the tips.Both have the basketweave or woven glass full length of the limb with no additional overlays.I have a transition era Hunter model with the same glass and no overlays with Bear archery written in black on the upper limb belly.No square decal but does have the running bear decal.Both Grizzlys have no running bear decal.I just thought they would be interesting to see and wanted to add them to the threads.
(http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr118/johnnyrazorhead/Early%20transition%20era%20Bear%20Grizzlys%20004.jpg) (http://s475.photobucket.com/user/johnnyrazorhead/media/Early%20transition%20era%20Bear%20Grizzlys%20004.jpg.html)
(http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr118/johnnyrazorhead/Early%20transition%20era%20Bear%20Grizzlys%20013.jpg) (http://s475.photobucket.com/user/johnnyrazorhead/media/Early%20transition%20era%20Bear%20Grizzlys%20013.jpg.html)
(http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr118/johnnyrazorhead/Early%20transition%20era%20Bear%20Grizzlys%20014.jpg) (http://s475.photobucket.com/user/johnnyrazorhead/media/Early%20transition%20era%20Bear%20Grizzlys%20014.jpg.html)
(http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr118/johnnyrazorhead/Early%20transition%20era%20Bear%20Grizzlys%20015.jpg) (http://s475.photobucket.com/user/johnnyrazorhead/media/Early%20transition%20era%20Bear%20Grizzlys%20015.jpg.html)
(http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr118/johnnyrazorhead/Early%20transition%20era%20Bear%20Grizzlys%20012.jpg) (http://s475.photobucket.com/user/johnnyrazorhead/media/Early%20transition%20era%20Bear%20Grizzlys%20012.jpg.html)
(http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr118/johnnyrazorhead/Early%20transition%20era%20Bear%20Grizzlys%20011.jpg) (http://s475.photobucket.com/user/johnnyrazorhead/media/Early%20transition%20era%20Bear%20Grizzlys%20011.jpg.html)
(http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr118/johnnyrazorhead/Early%20transition%20era%20Bear%20Grizzlys%20007.jpg) (http://s475.photobucket.com/user/johnnyrazorhead/media/Early%20transition%20era%20Bear%20Grizzlys%20007.jpg.html)
(http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr118/johnnyrazorhead/Early%20transition%20era%20Bear%20Grizzlys%20009.jpg) (http://s475.photobucket.com/user/johnnyrazorhead/media/Early%20transition%20era%20Bear%20Grizzlys%20009.jpg.html)
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(http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr118/johnnyrazorhead/Early%20transition%20era%20Bear%20Grizzlys%20008.jpg) (http://s475.photobucket.com/user/johnnyrazorhead/media/Early%20transition%20era%20Bear%20Grizzlys%20008.jpg.html)
(http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr118/johnnyrazorhead/Early%20transition%20era%20Bear%20Grizzlys%20005.jpg) (http://s475.photobucket.com/user/johnnyrazorhead/media/Early%20transition%20era%20Bear%20Grizzlys%20005.jpg.html)
(http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr118/johnnyrazorhead/Early%20transition%20era%20Bear%20Grizzlys%20006.jpg) (http://s475.photobucket.com/user/johnnyrazorhead/media/Early%20transition%20era%20Bear%20Grizzlys%20006.jpg.html)
This one is the transition era Hunter I wanted to show for comparison.The other pics I took of the tips and glass didn't download.
(http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr118/johnnyrazorhead/Early%20transition%20era%20Bear%20Grizzlys%20016.jpg) (http://s475.photobucket.com/user/johnnyrazorhead/media/Early%20transition%20era%20Bear%20Grizzlys%20016.jpg.html)
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John...great information. Thanks for sharing.
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Very cool bows John!!!
Okay, what's the story behind them?
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John-
Great posts.
With your two, have only seen a total of three now of the large rectangular decals that I can remember. Very nice. Would guess that Bear must have had just a small batch of these decals made as bows before & after have the smaller decal for specs.
For sure they are early in the 1949 production.
There is no evidence that a Grizzly was ever made, or even thought of before 1949… So any illusion or suggestion about any Grizzly being made in 1948, is likely nothing more than unsubstantiated speculation of an over active imagination.
I have several of the just "Bear Archery" printed on the transition bows, that were not made by Grumley. They were made after Nels left Bear.
Interesting that the script "Bear Archery" that appears on some Transition bows, is different printing than the Grizzly printing. This clearly indicates that another person printed the Grizzly after the Transition era.
Lots to learn and so little time to learn it.
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Thanks for all the info guys and for posting pictures. It really helps out guys like me that have a lot to learn.
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Nathan-
This has been an interesting thread since it began 7 years ago. We have all learned a lot as time has moved forward.
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Rick- you are very welcome.Love to share this old archery stuff.
Trap- No real story.Bows came from two different sources but similar to each other.I belive they are just very early Grizzly bows as indicated by the low serial numbers.Probably made right around the time Grumley left Bear or shortly thereafter.
Wade- I knew you would be able to add some information about these bows.
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In the last 24 hours several of these very early Grizzlies have shown up on the big auction site. Coincidence? Maybe.
One has "Grizzly" hand written just like yours John. A little higher serial number though.
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John-
Your two early 1949 Grizzly bows are the only two plus the one other now, that I remember seeing that are three digit serial numbers.
Always wondered why we had not seen numbers below 1000, but now three are known.
Thanks so much for your posts.
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I have seen 3 1956 grizzly and all 3 had a gl serial number , also would love to see some 55 to 57 grizzly limb tips and the difference between them. Why are there bunches of 55 and 57 grizzly always posted for sale but no 1956 models
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Noble,
The second post of this thread shows the difference in the tips of the 1954,1955/56,1957 on the belly side.
The difference between the 55 and 56 Grizzlys is about as insignificant as anything could possible be...
One has water transfer decals, the other has silk screens.
The 1955 & 1956 Kodiaks are also identical, except their cosmetic markings.
Same for 1955 & 1956 Kodiak Specials.
Structurally, these 1955 & 1956 bows are the same.
As collectors, we have this never ending need to put everything in a unique category by year, even when some years are the same, so we invent ways to fill every year, and begin separating bows, by their cosmetic markings.
Frankly, separating the 1955 & 1956 Kodiaks, Kodiak Specials, and Grizzly bows, is fictional, and strictly an invention of us collectors.
Unfortunately, these cosmetic markings were and are easily changed.
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Originally posted by Noblesinclair:
...Why are there bunches of 55 and 57 grizzly always posted for sale but no 1956 models
Bear produced the 1955 Grizzly for most of two production years, before switching from decals to silk screens for a brief period, then shortly after switching to silk screens, they began production of the 1957 model.
Putting a tapered wedge insert into the tip area of the laminations was a lot less work, less material, and less expense, than creating 4" underlays.
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Just posted an image of the 1964-1969 Grizzly Bows on the fist page to make this thread a little more complete.
http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=14&t=003114#000002
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Below is an image of the tips of three shall we say "assumed" very early 1949 Bear Grizzly Bows.
The word "assumed" is used because all have the very narrow tips with no overlays like the image that John posted of his very early 1949 Grizzly bows.
Two of the three bows are unmarked and the other one has both the large identification decal and hand printed "GRIZZLY", identical to what John shows on his two very early 1949 Grizzly Bows, numbers 104 & 200.
All three pictured below also have the same very early 1949 Grizzly characteristics, woven glass back, alum lam under wood belly, thin brush nocks, leather wedge shelf.
However, one was camo painted, and the other has slightly darker woven glass, (possibly it just never faded, or perhaps it was a different run of glass that was darker, not important either way, just wanted to mention the differences). A similar color difference is noticeable in one of the images that John posted on the previous page.
(http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo301/WadePhillips/1949%20Grizzly%20Bow%20Tips.png) (http://s386.photobucket.com/user/WadePhillips/media/1949%20Grizzly%20Bow%20Tips.png.html)
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The two unmarked 1949 Grizzly bows, were originally owned by Bob Meaker, the man who took over as head bowyer in 1948, when Nels Grumley left Bear to go out on his own.
Floyd Eccleston acquired the bows from Meaker, along with all of his other bows. Floyd passed away in 1999, and a few years later in the early 2000s, I acquired the two unmarked bows from Floyd's son, Rich Eccleston who then later passed away.
The point of this rambling is to make others aware that some of these very early 1949 Grizzly bows have no decals or markings at all. There is no visible evidence that either unmarked bow ever had any decal or type of marking.
Nor did either bow ever have any tip overlays put on it, which I always thought was strange, but makes more sense now that we all know the very earliest marked Grizzly bows with the large identification decals did not have tip overlays either.
I'm not much for using tip overlays or decals for identifying the date of a bow, but this particular case is a logical and very rare exception rather than the rule.