I just became the proud owner of a pre 53 Bear Polar #10064 53#. I know it's a long shot but I was hoping to get some personal history on this bow. When I hold it, I can feel the ancient mojo in this bows spirit. Very cool.
There is a name and town etched into the leather grip. It reads
(first name is rubbed but begins with an O)
O. B. Prothe
Corvallis, Oregon.
Thanks for any help. Rich
You might get better response over on the History/Collecting forum.
If it has aluminum laminations in the limbs I wouldn't recommend stringing it.
Here's a link to help you date it.
http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=14;t=003321
Thanks Jack, Looks like mine is a 1953. After checking over every millimeter of this bow it appeared to be in very sound condition. I couldn't help myself so I built a string, slowly coaxed it strung and under suspended breath shot it. My heart raced with the thump of each arrow hitting its mark. This bow is amazing!! Can you tell I'm excited? Pics coming soon.
Rich,
Yes, isn't amazing how a bow nearly sixty years old still performs like it did when it was new.
You know you can't stop with just one now.