Trad Gang
Main Boards => Trad History/Collecting => Topic started by: SlowBowke on March 25, 2011, 06:53:00 PM
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Not the creme de la creme of the Bear crop and I dont see a lot of em advertised around for sale. In fact, I wouldnt know one year from another except for having a "coin" or not and it's color which isnt carved in stone, either.
I see reference to the "holloween bow" for them due to limb colors.
Anyone got photos of em all?
Other info? All one length?
God Bless
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I have 2 of them. Both black and orange. Will post photos before the weekend is up. I like mine. Very good shooting bow in my opinion. I have one at 48# that is an incredibly quiet bow. Being dual shelf I sometimes have difficulty switching between it and a more center cut bow so I don't shoot it as much as I should
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Thanks, Ceme I'd like to see the variations and just dont see much of em.
Maybe I can help you out, nice guy that I am, and you wont have to "switch between it and a more center cut bow" anymore.
No rush. Thought Id ask the guys if these close years have much in variation and if I could please see em.
God Bless
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oh...mine are not for sale. I have a 26# and a 48#. Our daughter is anxious to do 3D shoots with me this summer with matching Halloween Bows! Mine are shooters, not collectors for sure.
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No problem.......most bows I find interesting ar not available. LOL
Sounds like a great time together with your daughter!
True collecter versions dont make it to my lair. I hunt my bows!
thanks again
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I have pics of mine at ThisOldBow.com. I believe mine is a 58.I just traded off my halloween bow to a friend of mine. They are one of the nicest shooting bows bear made in my oppinion.
Thanks,
Todd
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Thanks Todd.
Appreciate it......no photos saved of the holloween bow?
No issue. Ceme or others too will have some soon.
Nice example of one of the years in yours though.
Thanks
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Here's a few pics. The lighter weight bow is always on the right or top of the pic. I don't know how to date these. They are either 1959 or 1960. If I had to guess the lighter weight is 1959 and the 48# is 1960. The grip is larger on the 48#. If Bear did the same with the Alaskans as they did with Grizzlys this maybe an indicator. I will break this up between posts.
I do agree with Todd, they are very nice shooting bows. I had to shoot it tonight since I strung them. I look forward to the 3D shoots with these, and I hope to have it in the woods, if only just on Halloween!
The pics do show the coloration of the risers properly. They are very different. Even though I have 2 of these, I keep watching out for them. That should say something.
(http:// [url=http://images.imagelinky.com/1301102954.jpg] [img]http://images.imagelinky.com/1301102954.jpg)[/url] [/IMG]
(http:// [url=http://images.imagelinky.com/1301103127.jpg] [img]http://images.imagelinky.com/1301103127.jpg)[/url] [/IMG]
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Few more
(http:// [url=http://images.imagelinky.com/1301103162.jpg] [img]http://images.imagelinky.com/1301103162.jpg)[/url] [/IMG]
(http://images.imagelinky.com/1301103377.jpg) (http://images.imagelinky.com/1301103377.jpg)
(http://images.imagelinky.com/1301103397.jpg) (http://images.imagelinky.com/1301103397.jpg)
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Oh yeah! VERY nice.......!!!
THANKS. Look like KEEPERS! Excellent.
If the years are accurate on those shown. One left.....the 61?
Have to say those are definately ones Id have a hard time passing up, priced right.
The color variances in the leather grips always had me curious too. Definately like the looks of the darker myself but hardly a reason to NOT buy one in the right weight range.
APPRECIATE your help!
Wouldnt NORMALLY the 59 have the Copper coin? Or nickle?
http://www.neoreality.com/archery/goodole.htm
God Bless
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Thank you!
I don't think the serial number means much in these. Perhaps, but I don't think Bear started with the number sequence meaning anything until 1964 or so. I could be wrong. Someone who knows more on that will hopefully come on here.
I appreciate you starting this thread because I may learn.
You can find these priced right, and they are worth it!
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So far so great!
So??? What else we need here?
Is the 61 also a leather grip?
Is it also a double shelf? (saw on the "wall" a post of the 61 being a single shelf. Nothing about grip)
Anyone with info on the differences of the three coin years?
Thanks all!
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I'm OK>>>>>>>>>HONEST I AM!
NO bows found made in 59 (Ive found? and was graciously told to me by a collector) OTHER THAN Kodiaks and K Specials.........had a copper coin??........sigh
IS THAT RIGHT????
The 59 grizlys are .......nickle?
Maybe Im losing it. Looking for something that dont exist. HOW DID I MISS THAT BEFORE?
SHOW ME PHOTOS, of Alaskans from 59, if you got one that does have a coin OTHER than aluminum? So I know there is such.
From Al Reader's pages.
"In 1959 both copper, nickel and brass were used in the higher and lower grades of bows. The bow varnish on top turns varying shades of yellow altering the color of the coins. In 1960-61, aluminum was used" (this was NEWS to me....I thought copper ......period was the INTENDED coin material but knew each year had exceptions)
So assuming a 59 would have a brass or nickel coin in an Alaskan?
God Bless to all. I find one or two or ......?
Ill post em
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I picked one up in a garage sale last year for $2.00. 43#, gray glass, both back and belly. I'm in Iowa and wont be home til Saturday, so don'tknow what color coin it has. I've seen quite a few with the orange glass, but only this one with gray.
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It was nice to pull this one out to shoot a pic... bought it 6 months ago and have not admired it enough... nor have i shot it yet.
is that large screw head on the handle typical? is this a 1961??
(http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd435/xtsouo/IMG_3327.jpg)
(http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd435/xtsouo/IMG_3334.jpg)
(http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd435/xtsouo/IMG_3328.jpg[/IMG
[img]http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd435/xtsouo/IMG_3329.jpg)
(http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd435/xtsouo/IMG_3330.jpg)
(http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd435/xtsouo/IMG_3333.jpg)
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Single shelf, leather grip....yup, 61
10 dollars? :bigsmyl:
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1 more...
(http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd435/xtsouo/IMG_3328.jpg)
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not quite... but not bad at $60. heh. keeper.
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ok, 10 more than you paid for it? lol
Thanks for sharing. One thats on my list down the road.
Excellent weight too
"large screw" is typical if the buyer got it with the insert to add the side quiver. NICE
God bless!
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(http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj170/Steve692/1961Alaskan.jpg)
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Yeah the weight was spot on for me. Thanks for starting this thread ... And the info. I love this place!
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(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/fliksr/Random/Alaskans.jpg)
'59 on top, '58 on bottom
Here's the profile of the '58
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/fliksr/Random/Alaskanprofile.jpg)
The '58 Alaskan is a dead ringer for many of the r/d longbows out today. The force/draw curve is a little friendlier than the '59 to those of us with monkey arms and 30+ inch draws.
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Just cause Im still looking....what coin is in that 59? Please? Still of the opinion that Im not sure Bear MADE any that wasnt aluminum in the double shelf models of 59-60 is all. Regardless of what kind its supposed to have for 59. (no offense to anyone, just cant find one that is otherwise)
Love to find someone to prove otherwise. LOL
Fully aware that the coins are not carved in stone and there are exceptions to what is listed for that year......but in this case the exception is one that has the coin LISTED for the year being the one I cant seem to find a photo of. ??
Sweet bows!
God Bless
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Isn't the bow Xavier posted a '62? That's the pewter coin.
I sold my Alaskans and can't recall if the '59 had the nickel or aluminum. The grip was slim like all the '59s, not at all like the fatter '60s.
Yup, only the Kodiaks and KSpecials had the copper coins in '59. You may find an occasional Grizzly with one, but I'd bet it's not original.
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Unless all info Ive found online is in error, there wasnt an Alaskan made in 62, yet one made in late 61 could have easily had a pewter coin, I'd imagine.
Unsure what coin that is. Not quite "black" enough for pewter? Maybe?
I thought the same looking at it at first but all my info points at the single shelf, leather grip and limb color as a 61.
Wouldnt be first time Im incorrect though. LOL
(just hate it when it's so consistant)
Thanks
PS Did wonder if the 59-60 Alaskans had a grip change too like the K. Specials. First Ive heard anyone mentioning it. Wasnt/Not sure if it was only certain models or all models that went to fatter grips in 1960?
Would be great to confirm that. A bit lost on how to identify a 59 from a 60 in an Alaskan at this point.
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Steve,
It's not so evident in the pictures of the two I posted, but there is definitely a grip difference. The lower weight is much slimmer than the higher weight.
I have often wondered if the higher weight one is a 1960 and the lower weight a 1959. Or, it could be they just put a slimmer grip on the lower weight thinking it would be a youth or ladies bow anyway.
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That would be a good thing to keep in mind later if a guy COULD find two in the same weight with different size grips.lol
Ive no clue myself if it's model year or weight......and why all of you responding is so GREEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT!
That said...I'm not even sure on the "lesser" bows if grip diameter was even monitored much in production? Could be they came out as they came out? hmmmmm
STILL *assuming* a 59 would have a brass? or nickel? coin in an Alaskan......at least SOME of em? Going with Nickel at this point, .....kinda LOL.
WE SHALL OVER COME.......lol
Thanks, Ceme!
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I've yet to see a brass coin in a '59. Lots of nickel coins with oxidized finish over them making them look brass. But no original brass coins until '63
Areas that are rubbed on the pewter aren't black - the oxidation gets rubbed off. Take a look at the recent 62 Kodiak thread for some pics.
I don't have a '62 catalog, but don't remember hearing the Alaskan being offered that year.
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What year did the Alaskan come in zebrawood ?
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66 I think, Don
(had to change that from 69 after finding another one)
Ive seen two and both were 66inch. Could have been other years but did see one on the auctions some time ago.
God Bless
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Steve,
The 1959 Alaskan started with regular serial numbering at NA001, then NB, NC etc...
The NR648 ? that ceme24 pictured is a standard 1959 Alaskan with the standard coin in them which was aluminum.
I have seen dozens of 1959 Alaskans, none have had any other coin than aluminum. Not to say any coin could have been put in them, but the standard coin was aluminum for them in 1959.
Forget the coins, date bows by the riser shape.
Like some of the early 1959 Kodiaks, some of the early Alaskans were not even drilled for a coin... I have one such un-drilled no-coin 1959 Alaskan.
The other Alaskan that ceme24 shows, looks like serial number 16N16 That bow has a thicker grip area, which is also typical on other 1960 Bear bows, Kodiak, Kodiak Special, Grizzly. Those fatter grip Alaskans that I have seen also have an aluminum coin. But again, any coin could have been put in any bow, by anyone at any time.
That 16N16 is a later 1960 serial number. The Alaskan serial numbers are like the Kodiaks that continued the 1959 serial numbers into the early 1960 bows.
Hopefully this helps a bit.
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OH BOY does THAT help , Wade! MANY thanks! The serial numbers on bears, other than those starting with the last digit of the year made.....always has me confused, to say the least.
Excellent info to date the Alaskans by and also interesting on the aluminum coins that I've yet to see LISTED for anything 59. interesting stuff!
God Bless
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Thank you for posting Wade. I was wondering if there was a correlation between the serial #, grip and the year. Aside from my two, it seemed to be a general trend I noticed in watching these bows (serial #'s with a number to start had fatter grips).
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1960 Alaskan with original shipping box dated Aug20'60 Grayling Mich. Box is not mint but still a neat old item.
(http://i581.photobucket.com/albums/ss259/zepnut/DSCF1125.jpg)
(http://i581.photobucket.com/albums/ss259/zepnut/DSCF1126.jpg)
(http://i581.photobucket.com/albums/ss259/zepnut/DSCF1128.jpg)
(http://i581.photobucket.com/albums/ss259/zepnut/DSCF1131.jpg)
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"neat"......don't cover that one, Zep.
WOW .....comes closer.
Thanks for posting that.
God Bless
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The one I have does not have a coin. Gray glass both back and belly, serial# RJ298, 62" 43#. Has a red decal that says "Bear Archery Shop of Detroit", Bear Archery Company, Grayling Mich. sticker, and Bear Glass Powered Alaskan. Double shelf, with a very narrow riser. Any ideas as to the year?
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Interesting. Does it look like the 1958 one photo added earlier in this thread? Would be my first guess, but only a GUESS.
God Bless
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Yes it look like the 1958 shown, but I couldn't tell if that one has the double shelf like mine.
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How'd I do? Found one......so far.
(http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj170/Steve692/IMG_0082.jpg)
(http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj170/Steve692/IMG_0080.jpg)
(http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj170/Steve692/IMG_0081.jpg)
(http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj170/Steve692/IMG_0085.jpg)
(http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj170/Steve692/IMG_0084-1.jpg)
Thanks again to all for all the help on these!!
God Bless!
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That's one fine looking bow Steve!
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just picked up a 55# Alaskan ---- needs refinsihing bow Doc where are you
Classic Bowman
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Working on the brace height on this one. Seems AWFUL high before it quiets down???
any personal advice on brace height starting points?
Seems pretty "fast" (almost hate using that word lol)....how about.....it seems to shoot pretty flat for a 43lber.
So far so good after a little "issue" with strings. Two ordered, one too short one too long. Flemish REALLY tightly twisted, far more than anything Ive ever used.
One in photo is the endless I have for "back up" now. Even after 4 days shooting,brace height was near 9 inches. Flemish ordered for 62 inch AMO, Ive twisted it up four times in as many days with it dropping down to 6 inches repeatedly.
One is as loud as the other (odd from my experience) Flemish is from a maker with a good rep. Emailing him for HELP!lol
"Normal" process for me is to start around 7 inches and go up or down (rarely) getting a fairly quiet shooter THEN adding silencers but for some reason this bow is WAY louder than my 58 Pearson double shelf. Same arrow and nock type, not tight on string, barely hangin on index type.
??
PS, been shooting trad for half a century since a snot nose kid. Dont SOUND like it but ive "set up" literally hundreds of trad bows successfully. A bit lost.
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Must be the arrows(?)
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I will measure mine tonight Steve. My Alaskan is very quiet. I don't remember it being too high in brace. I shoot a full length GT 3555 out of it with 180gr up front, and use fox fur silencers.
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Probably good I mention these are POC arrows, five inch LW helical. Around 500 grain total, maybe a bit under but not much. Hardly light for a 43lber.
Just the first ones I put together for it out of what I had in shafts but working on others too.
Going to try some stiffer arrows with heavier heads (my norm) here soon with 11/32 shafts (current ones are 5/16) and my "normal" nocks. But these nocks DONT seem really tight. More just tightER than the others.
I will say I was a bit surprised when the string came for it and it was a 15 strand. (B50)
Im not sure I HAVE HAD another string that heavy for various heavier weight bows in the past 15 yrs. 99 percent sure they all were 14 strand.
Ill figure it out. Just thought I'd ask about the brace height others had for comparison.
Still intregued by the super slender limbs on this Alaskan.
Thanks guys
Steve
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I'll check when I get home, but I think the recommended brace is between 6.5 and 7.5"
I had mine set for a little under 7" and it was nice and quiet.
The AMO standards weren't adopted until Feb of '68, so it's a crap shoot ordering strings for the old bows - the early 50's vary by almost an inch in length from one bow to another - for the SAME year!
Also, if your new string is stretching that much is wasn't prestretched or measured correctly - AMO standards are to measure under tension - I'd find a new string maker or learn to make them yourself.
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Just got done putting a couple of shots through mine.
Bow is marked 48#.
29" draw
480 gr arrow
7 3/8" brace
Fox fur silencers from Jeremy
=
Very quiet.
Not sure on the strands in the string. It's a flemish twist.
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thanks guys
God Bless