Trad Gang
Main Boards => Trad History/Collecting => Topic started by: alex b on October 14, 2011, 07:28:00 PM
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Recently came upon this 56" Maple sight window 59 kodiak.
56"
35@26
Serial number has faded away.
There are some things on this bow that I have not seen on other kodiaks.
-one tip overlay is black and white (fiberglass?) while the other one is the normal brown,red,white micarta.
-The overlays on the back of the handle appear to be wood.
-The wood on the coin side is very light and does not look like rosewood. Maybe it is just a very light rosewood?
Appears to be in original condition, no signs that it was refinished or messed with.
It seems to be in pretty good condition with some stress cracks and nicks, but nothing serious.
If i remember correctly, there is only one other known to exhist?
Thanks for looking
Alex B
(http://i785.photobucket.com/albums/yy136/jbco17/308804e2.jpg)
(http://i785.photobucket.com/albums/yy136/jbco17/dc3f0c4f.jpg)
(http://i785.photobucket.com/albums/yy136/jbco17/c65ba693.jpg)
(http://i785.photobucket.com/albums/yy136/jbco17/a53f1938.jpg)
(http://i785.photobucket.com/albums/yy136/jbco17/74f955bc.jpg)
(http://i785.photobucket.com/albums/yy136/jbco17/ac17dd85.jpg)
(http://i785.photobucket.com/albums/yy136/jbco17/f29bce4f.jpg)
(http://i785.photobucket.com/albums/yy136/jbco17/51fd6510.jpg)
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Very interesting. What do you think of this one Wade?
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Great Find Alex :thumbsup:
It was nice shooting with you a Denton.
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I wondered who snagged that one at auction! WOW. Congrats.
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Wow, I just picked up a '59 56" Kodiak as well and it also has what I guess is an unsual thing. Oh its a '59 all down to the tips. I swear the tips are identical to those of a '60 Kodiak not at all like my 60" 1959 Kodiak.
Any thoughts on that?
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thats a cool bow right there for sure bd
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Great find Alex!
That one had a lot of us fooled! One can't always go on the posted pictures. IF he had posted additional photos of the other side of the bow.......well....you know how that would have turned out!!!! Like I said before, lots of these rare bows showing up in the last few years!!
I'd say that this one sat in the light for some time coin side up.....it looks like it may just be faded on that side. Regardless, rare bird for sure!!!
Congrats!
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Didn't happen to come out of Texas did it?
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Good score Alex. :thumbsup:
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Very cool bow indeed, Nice score!
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Thanks, i got lucky with this!
Charlie- it was great meeting and shooting with you at Denton, hope to do it again next year.
Javi- Bow came out of WA
Anyone have ideas on the black and white tip? If it is a replaced orgininal it was done very neatly and done a long time ago.It looks just as original as everything else. Maybe it is even a factory replacement? did they do things like that?
Alex B
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That's awesome. It looks like it has one 1959 tip and one 1960 tip.
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Amazing find!! Congrats.
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I believe this is the second maple window 56" 1959 Kodiak known to exist? I am hot after number 3!!! Awesome find for you...a no coin '59 too!
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Originally posted by ahandle70:
I believe this is the second maple window 56" 1959 Kodiak known to exist? I am hot after number 3!!! Awesome find for you...a no coin '59 too!
Does it need to be a particular draw weight or any 56" MSW 59' Kodiak?.......philip
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Any 56" MSW 59' K... If i remember correctly, Wade Phillips' bow is
24# at 24"
Alex
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Rare bow for sure!
I'm gonna check with my brother. I am not certain if MSW or not, but he definitely has 56" versions.59' and 60'
...........Philip
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Had to check out the maple sight window 56"er again. I am still on a scavenger hunt trying to find one for myself. They are in the top 10 of collectible bows made by Bear in my book.
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Originally posted by alex b:
Any 56" MSW 59' K... If i remember correctly, Wade Phillips' bow is
24# at 24"
Alex - My 56" MSW 1959 Kodiak is marked 18# at 24" and it is the lightest weight Kodiak, of any year or any length, that I can ever remember seeing or hearing of.
The limbs are super thin. This is a comparison of mid-limb thickness for 18# vs 45# for 56" 1959 Kodiaks.
.187" thick - 18# @ 24"
.248" thick - 45# @ 26"
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Originally posted by ahandle70:
Had to check out the maple sight window 56"er again. I am still on a scavenger hunt trying to find one for myself. They are in the top 10 of collectible bows made by Bear in my book.
ahandle70 - Al Reader searched his entire life and never found nor heard of a 56" MSW '59. It was one of the last 6 Kodiaks that he had on his list to complete his Kodiak Collection.
Al and I often talked about the possibility of the existence of this bow. Al always believed that the 56" MSW 1959 was made. I'm a true realist, and for a number of logical reasons, I had serious doubts if the 56" was ever made with a MSW. I wish Al had lived long enough to see at least one of these bows.
After Al died, the first one turned up in Jan 2010, and I was fortunate enough to acquire it. Then 22 months later, in October 2011, Alex found the second one in this thread. Truly a great find and wonderful collectible Bear treasure.
Now that a couple 56" MSW '59s have turned up, I'd have to guess there were probably more than two made. Many great old bows surface each year and find their way into collections.
Nothing surprises me when it comes to great vintage archery items turning up...
The best of luck with your search for a 56" MSW '59. I hope I live long enough to see photographs of a third one.
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I love hunting for old bows almost as much as like hunting whitetails. I've only came across two 56" Kodiaks (one 1959 and one 1960) in the past 10 years! Neither have a maple sight window. I know I probably have a better chance getting struck by lightning but that is why I enjoy. The tougher the search the more the reward. The few times I spoke with Al he told me keep my eye for it him for a maple sight window 56" 1959. I would have let him have it if I would have ever found one. I wish I could have met him in person.
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Al Reader was a wonderful man.
His knowledge of Bear Archery history and Fred Bear in general was amazing to say the least.
His collection of bows would leave you weak in the knees! His favorite one pice bow was the 1959 Kodiak.
In particular and fine detail.
LH with skinny tips, 60" and 40#. Yes 40#!!!
Al loved this length and weight and he killed deer with it!
More pics for your pleasure my TG friends..........Enjoy :goldtooth:
Post your pics too guys! I like seeing them as much as I like posting them... :jumper:
..........Philip
(http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt247/87philip/kodiak_1959.jpg)
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These are a few of my 59 Kodiaks at the Arsenal
(http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo301/WadePhillips/59.jpg)
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I was hoping you would jump in and share some pics Wade!
I had a feeling you have a "few" lying around.LOL
........Philip
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Phil -
Just took that photograph above and found this one that I took last weekend of a little buck while I had a vintage Bear on my lap....
He'll be a nice one next year...
(http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo301/WadePhillips/LittleBuck.jpg)
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I am speechless! Every one of those bows has a story to tell...makes them all the better.
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I'm so glad I brought this topic back up to the top!
Love the pics Wade! What a magnificent collection right there. I would suspect there are similiar racks around your home. :thumbsup:
.........Philip
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Phil -
That lob shot was Fred's long time World Record Stone Sheep.
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One more year equals 10# more sticks and sausage! He will be one year smarter too which will make the thrill of the chase even better. My buddy always says "let em go, let em grow"...hard to do sometimes though.
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Originally posted by Wade Phillips:
Phil -
That lob shot was Fred's long time World Record Stone Sheep.
I know that Wade.
My "goat" reference was
my attempt at humor........ :campfire:
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Phil -
Sorry, I missed the humor on the goat reference. That never crossed my mind. Most sheep hunters I know are pretty darn serious when talking about about sheep.
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Alright- Might as well post up some more eye candy.Gotta love those '59's!!!
(http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr118/johnnyrazorhead/1959KodiaksallI.jpg)
This second photo shows the top bow in the picture from the shelf side.It's a wedge sight window,l.h. '59 Kodiak marked 123#.It's the heaviest weight Bear bow I have yet to see.I forgot to put it with the other '59's in my original photos so I added it to these.Sorry about the toes in the last picture,I didn't realize they snuck into the photo but they were made in 1959 too so I guess it's still a photo of all things made in 1959.
(http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr118/johnnyrazorhead/1959KodiaksallII.jpg)
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Very Nice John!
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Original Maple Sight Window Kodiaks are cool bows in any length, with or without copper coins.
MSW Kodiaks rank near the top of the list of All Time Favorite Vintage Bear Kodiaks.
Plus they are great shooters.
(http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo301/WadePhillips/002.jpg)
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Interesting view of how much the height of the sight window woods can vary.
I guess I never realized it was a variable trait, bow to bow.
God Bless
Slow
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Wow! all of these bows are incredible!
There has been a lot of talk about serial numbers on bows and i was wondering if anyone has a trick that might be able to help me reveal the number on the 56" msw. I have been looking for it under light at all angles and have been using a magnifying glass. It's like a number never existed. Is there anything I can put on the spot to maybe see something?
Alex
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Alex-you could send the bow to me and I will be happy to look for a serial number on it.And I won't stop looking no matter how long it takes me to find it. :bigsmyl:
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Just got back on tradgang after a brief break.
Wow, you guy's have been busy showing some INCREDIBLE KODIAK'S!
Man, I gotta get the camera out!
.........Philip
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John,
We don't mind looking at your feet in bow photographs, just as long as you don't start polishing your toenails...
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I don't think you'll have to worry about that Wade and if I ever do,you probably won't be hearing from me on this website any more.I'll have a "new" bunch of guy friends then.LOL
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John - I'm just glad you didn't have your wife take that photograph and then try to explain to us that it was her toenails with the nail polish...
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Wade,
is the center maple window Kodiak refinished?
The 55# model.
If so, I wonder if it's the one I refinished some years ago. I can't remember where I wrote the serial #.
Thanks......Philip
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Philip -
Yes, the center MWS is refinished. I got it from Joe St. Charles 10-15 years ago and he told me Bowdoc did the refinish. Yes, it is 55# and serial number BA365. It still has the original tip overlays.
The other four MSW all have the original finish.
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Wade,
I don't have any refinished bows, but that one does interest me being 55# with fresh varnish on it. :readit:
Actually, I do have 1 refinished bow, Donnie still has it, the 66/67 black phenolic riser Kodiak. I was waiting for death threats on that one! Another topic, another day. Can't wait to get it back.
Thanks Wade......Philip
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Philip -
Oh my, that 55# MSW is a pretty special bow to me. I got it from Joe who has been a good friend for 30 years.
About 10 years ago we were planning a trip to hunt the Little Delta and that was the bow I was going to take. The hunt fell through, but I still have the bow.
The other bow I had for that tip was my Moose Bow, a 60# 60" 1959 Kodiak in dead mint condition. Still have it too.
Actually it only scales 59-1/2# and is really 59-1/2" and is a later '59 so really a 59-1/2 model.
Come to think of it, it is the only legitimate Triple 59-1/2 that I've ever hear of in existence... :saywhat:
Yes, all collectors are crazy.
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Thanks for the reply Wade.
That is a nice specimen and kinda like the idea that it's refinished. Considering I bow hunt in ANY weather conditions.
Well you still have the bow and the little delta is still there.........
I had also planned the same trip with a dear friend.
That friend has since passed away.
I intend to hunt there still. My vintage-bear Kodiak bows are ready. Also 1959 Kodiak's 55#.
Gotta take 2, just in case!
Take Downs stay on the shelf for that hunt.
My wife of 22 years encourages me to go.
I wonder if she does because she knows the bears up there are mean and have a hunger for Italians!
........Philip
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Philip -
I almost always hunt with refinished bows. I hate to destroy a mint original bow buy using it under hunting conditions.
The mint original bows are cool to look at and take out for a Sunday tour of the range, but not my first choice for hunting.
The finish in those 59 and 60 Kodiaks won't hold up to a season a hard use in our thick woods on the river bottoms here.
I don't think the Grizzly is picky about what type of meat he eats, Italian, French, German, etc... He just eats it...
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Alex
To get back to your question.....I'll dig out our black light. We'll get together and with the black light and a loupe, if it is there, we'll find it. I've had two 59s that have impossible-to-see serial numbers, but that combo of items seems to work in making the numbers appear. We'll give it a shot anyhow.
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A friend of mine came over and brought a good camera so i took some better pictures of the bow. I had some resizing problems so you can click on the smaller pictures to make them bigger.
(http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x480/AlexBeer/IMG_8906.jpg)
(http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x480/AlexBeer/IMG_8919.jpg)
(http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x480/AlexBeer/IMG_8893.jpg)
(http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x480/AlexBeer/IMG_8918.jpg)
(http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x480/AlexBeer/th_IMG_8913.jpg) (http://s1183.photobucket.com/albums/x480/AlexBeer/?action=view¤t=IMG_8913.jpg)
(http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x480/AlexBeer/th_IMG_8887.jpg) (http://s1183.photobucket.com/albums/x480/AlexBeer/?action=view¤t=IMG_8887.jpg)
(http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x480/AlexBeer/th_IMG_8922.jpg) (http://s1183.photobucket.com/albums/x480/AlexBeer/?action=view¤t=IMG_8922.jpg)
alex
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wow.........!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.Nice find! I'm re-inspired to go look for one of those.....nice job. jackdaw
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Hey Alex, That is the most awesome bow I have ever seen. Dave (Windsurfer)
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Back in the days when John was 2/3 on MSW 59s
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that is a great find! One of my favorite of the Kodiaks..!! I have a 60" Repro maple window 59 Kodiak..just a great combo!. Well done!