Just got this today via FedEx. It's a '55 Kodiak, 60", 55#, in good shooting condition. I marvel at the design of these old bows...this thing flat out smokes. It has those really narrow tips and limb ends and the R/L riser. Plain but beautiful. All the decals are intact as well. I'll get better photos tomorrow.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v134/oldearcher46/1955001.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v134/oldearcher46/1955005.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v134/oldearcher46/1955002.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v134/oldearcher46/1955003.jpg)
Nice lookin' bow. I'm a big Bear fan, especially the older ones. :D
Looks like you got yoru photo bucket thing worked out...
....that bow does have some classic pretty lines, George!
Dave....you gonna' make the squirrel hunt this year? We miss ya' 8^).
Dunno, bud...back unemployed again. Funny how career choices we make with what seems like good information--- changes over time...
You like them old style bows, if things keep going the way they are, I might have to try to sell you a decent ole ROOT bow, 64"; 44#@28"
:)
Well Doc, for the most part, they are just as good as new ones, cept you can't use that Fast/Flush stuff 8^). That Root has some history I'm sure. Hang on to it. Better yet...you might want to move up here to the hill country with us. Not a lot of money here but it sure is a good place to be poor. ;)
George. great looking bow. I just got mine back from the bow doc. Mine was painted greenand showing some wear. I had it completly refurbished with new decals and leather wrap. It is a 1956 special and turned out beutiful. The bowdoc does some great work.
I have a gorgeous '55 Kodiak as well. A little longer and lighter than yours though (64" 46#). The '55-'57 Kodiaks all smoke an arrow! It's hard to believe the slim tips, ain't it? :D
George, mine was brand new...back then, 52#@ 28"
That's a 1953 Mercury in the picture...also pretty new back then. :D
(http://tradgang.com/ron/ron46.jpg)
Hey Ron, your elbow looks a little high in that photo. I'm glad you've gotten a few lessons since then. :biglaugh:
George, I agree with you on the classic lines of that era's bow. I think it also invokes images of being with Fred and Glenn on the Little Delta River hunt. All pretty cool stuff.
Ron....my brother had a 53 Mercury...those were great cars. Nice bow, by the way 8^).
Here's a couple photos from today. I cleaned the bow with mild soap and water, then oversprayed it with clear poly to seal any finish deficits. I also rubbed mink oil into the leather wrap to soften and protect it. I don't like changing these old bows a lot; I like to think the scratches and yellowing, etc., are part of its history. It looks plenty good yet still wears some of its battle scars of the past 53 years. My thirty yard group is hanging to the left so I need to add some point weight.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v134/oldearcher46/1955010.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v134/oldearcher46/1955011.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v134/oldearcher46/1955012.jpg)
George, if you part with this one can I have first dibs at it? Been looking for an old bow in that weight that not everyone wants one like 59 or 60 or early 60's Bears. Thanks for sharing. Flint
George, nice bow. I believe the 55 inspired the Great Northern Ghost. I know those bows smoke an arrow. Excellent grouping as well. Rob
QuoteGeorge, nice bow. I believe the 55 inspired the Great Northern Ghost. I know those bows smoke an arrow. Excellent grouping as well. Rob
Rob, Here's "The rest of the story" on the Ghost. Jerry and I were on out way to Quebec in 1986 for a Caribou hunt when he told me that he'd like to start making a recurve but was undecided on what to make and he ask my opinion. I suggested that they make a copy of an old Bear bow and call it the "Grayling Ghost" Long story short, the first few bows were called the Grayling Ghost then Rick and Jerry decided to drop the Grayling because they didn't want Bear Archery to get after them for the name. Thereafter they were called Simply, The Ghost.
That looks just like one I had to sell last year do to being unemployed and needed to pay the utilities to keep them on. Mine was 67# @29" and it was a darn good shooter.
Thanks for the story Ron, I love archery history like that. Rob
Ive got a similar double shelved Kodiak but with the compass in the handle. 62# @ 28". I think its a 1955 as well.