Trad Gang
Main Boards => Trad History/Collecting => Topic started by: Caleb the bow breaker on November 18, 2013, 09:48:00 AM
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Guys I know this is probably a dumb question so please be gentle. But did Fred Bear build any bows? I assume that once his company got large he had several bowyers but what is the story?
C
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The simple answer I yes...he got into the archery business by building what we call selfbows today...the details I will leave to others
DDave
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There is a lot of info on the internet about this, but in a short answer...yes.
More than one source states that he was taught by the great Art Young to make bows and other archery equipment.
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If you want to learn about Fred Bear and Bear Archery I'll recommend the Bear Archery DVD set. One video in particular-the History of Bear Archery is very good, and narrated by Fred himself. He talks quiet a bit about the early days at Bear Archery. Also a couple books that covers some of the history of the company is "Fred Bear" a biography by Charles Kroll and "I Remember Papa Bear" by Dick Lattimer. Both are great reads.
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Thanks Everyone,
I just brought it up because I have heard multiple people tell me they have a bow built by Fred Bear but after a few questions they just mean that that have an older Bear Brand Bow. So it just always makes me wonder of the all the bows that the Fred Bear company sold. How many did Fred actually build or take part in building. I suppose I just need to do a little more reading
C
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Just a bit of a warning...once you start exploring the world of Fred Bear it can be kind of addictive...just a great piece of traditional archery history...and you will connect with some fascinating and knowledgeable folks along the way...so no that was not a silly question...that was a great opening question
DDave
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http://www.fredbear-online.com/
:notworthy:
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Fred actually started out in Detroit, building quivers and arm guards and then hired Nels Grumley to be his bowyer.
Yes he built some boys back in the early days but generally speaking, Fred was a business man and managed Bear Archery so well that it's still around today. Most other archery companies that started back in the 40's and 50's are long gone.
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here is the bow that I received yesterday. Yes Fred built bows. This was his 13th bow built which the number 13 stamped on upper limb signifies. There is a number 26 stamped in lower limb. Not sure if that means 26 pounds or 1926. There is a picture on page 68 in the book "Biography of an Outdoorsman" with Fred drawing this bow in front of a Ford with a 32 license plate.
(http://i937.photobucket.com/albums/ad215/mrgq4126/Fredsbowsigned2.jpg) (http://s937.photobucket.com/user/mrgq4126/media/Fredsbowsigned2.jpg.html)
(http://i937.photobucket.com/albums/ad215/mrgq4126/117_4427.jpg) (http://s937.photobucket.com/user/mrgq4126/media/117_4427.jpg.html)
(http://i937.photobucket.com/albums/ad215/mrgq4126/Fredsbow3letterblack-1.jpg) (http://s937.photobucket.com/user/mrgq4126/media/Fredsbow3letterblack-1.jpg.html)
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Nice stuff. Old Papa Bear could do it all...!! I believe it helps Bears be special to me....