At Denton Hill last week I had the pleasure of meeting an 81 year old Gentleman named Francis Dehner. Mr. Dehner was a Bear Rep back in the 60's and 70's. Mr. Dehner showed me a bow that he had cased up in his car. When he opened the case I was blown away.
It was an A handle with serial number 1111. This bow was signed by Glenn St. Charles and Fred Bear. As if that wasn't enough Fred had also signed the "Stickbow Man" figure on it. The late great Al Reader says that Fred signed anywhere from 20-30 bows in his lifetime with the stickbow man. The vast majority of these were done for close personal friends and Bear Reps.
After some hearfelt discussion, Mr. Dehner and I agreed on a price and the feeling that came over me when I realised this bow was going home with me is undescribeable.
After purchasing the bow I took it to Rich Tiberio; stickbow man himself to confirm it's legitimacy. Rick and another fella named Tom Taylor looked it over, shook my hand, and congratulated me, saying that it was in fact an actual stickbowman Fred signed handle. Rich siad that Al Reader had told him that finding a stickbow man bow was like finding gold at the end of a rainbow.
Rich says he first saw the figure about 20 years ago in Al Readers collection, About 3 years ago Al went to Compton and saw 2 more in his collection. These 2 were drawn on B handles and are kind of sloppy. So that makes 3. Rich also said that he was told by Wade Philips that he saw one in the first Pope and Young book with the figure on it as well and said is was drawn in about 1940. (Thats 4) Joe St Charles has one in his museum in Washington State (5), Tom Taylors, who was with Rich at Denton showed me his Green Stripe Handle signed by Glenn St Charles and Fred with the stickbow man (6).Rich says that Bow Doc knows of 2 others. 1 on a Kodiak Magnum and the other on a Kodiak (8). So Rich says he knows of 8 for sure (mine being 9). He says that George Johnson claims he has 4 or 5 but has not seen them. Joe St. Charles says that he saw Fred sign about 10 that way at a signing.
Rich took a ton of pictures of the handle and got my permission to use them in publications and on his website.
Tom Taylor asked me if I was interested in selling mine and I , of course, told him that I was not. With this bow being a type 1 A Handle with serial number 1111, it may be the best bow that Fred ever signed the stickbowman on.
I am still numb that this bow resides in my collection.
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/migrabill/StickBowMan1.jpg)
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/migrabill/fredstickbow.jpg)
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/migrabill/stickbow3.jpg)
REALLY, REALLY cool!!! :campfire:
Thanks for sharing your story.
Wow that's awesome, some guys have all the luck :)
Very nice. You own a valuable piece of archery history.
:thumbsup:
Nice!
Nice find. Congrats on what sounds like a pretty rare item.
Have you been able to sleep through the night yet without getting up to go check to be sure it's really there?...lol
Congratulations!!
How cool is this?... Way!... I'm saying.....
God bless,Mudd
Great find, but tough times to take a 2nd mortgage out on the house. ;) Congratulations!
Mudd - It is so funny that you say that becuase did that the first 2 nights I owned it! How funny is that. The only thing that could make me more complete would be to be wearing one of your Robin Hood hats the first time I shoot this piece of history.
How often does a man have the opportunity to own something like that. I am envious.
wow!!!
congratulations!!! :thumbsup:
literally, a national treasure.
Good story and nice pics. Thanks for sharing!
This riser is even more awesome in person!! Pretty cool to hold a riser that Fred signed, with the Stickbowman, along with Mr. St Charles.
Kudos to you Sir!! :clapper:
Nice one Bill!
What a blessing....
Enjoy!
Shoot straight, Shinken
:archer2:
Bill, I appreciate you stopping by to show me that piece of history. Actually holding it in my hand was almost spiritual :bigsmyl: .
I was able to get a couple pictures as well for my Bear file.
:bigsmyl: :bigsmyl: :bigsmyl: :bigsmyl:
Add a pair of limbs and you are all set for October!!!
Wow .... Speechless
"awesome" piece of history!
Really cool!!!!
Hit or Miss-
Actually I for got to mention it came with a pair of spotless red tipped #3 limbs that are 48 pounds on the A. When I had my custom bow made last year - guess what weight I had it made in - 48. It was fate.
Here is a pic that Droptine59 took that has the limbs and the case.... but.... I dont think I will be hunting with this one.
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/migrabill/denton11_083.jpg)
Bill that's just incredible! CONGRATS!!
Sweet!!
You found all sorts of gold at Denton!
I wish we had more of just a passing meeting. Congrats on your collection!
Charlie -
Are you the genleman that was with Ken when I picked up his '59?
I too am sorry we could not have spent more time chatting.
Sweet!!
:thumbsup: Treat it like a newborn baby!
What a magnificent piece of traditional history!!!
Congrats and thank you for sharing.
Very nice!!!
That's the grinniest I have ever seen you get, Bill. Congrats on your find, and your new friendship. The bow is in good hands, you lucky caretaker, you!
Gonna change your avatar?
Killdeer
Bill -
Great find !!! You have a real treasure.
As you requested in your email, I read your initial post and reviewed the text regarding Rich's version of my comments about the earliest Stickman signature that I am familiar with. Rich's version varied a bit from the actual facts.
Actually, Fred's earliest Stickman Signature known to me that is on a piece of equipment is on a very rare 1930s Bear Leather Quiver, the large Deerslayer model, which has the removable cuff intact. The quiver is signed by more than 50 old bowmen. Many of these are very prominent bowmen of the time. Some of the signatures are dated 1941 or 1944. Fred's Stickman signature has both dates on it, 41-44 so presumably Fred signed it in 1944.
Fred signed his Stickman signature on a photograph of his "Snow Buck", that was taken on Friday the 13th in November 1942. The actual date the photograph was signed is unknown to me, but presumably sometime shortly after November 1942.
During this era, many bowmen signed their names and drew something related to archery with their name. Among other things, I collect signatures of old bowmen and have one or more signatures from nearly every well known old bowman from the 1920s to the 1950s. The most interesting of these have some type of drawing with the signature. A couple of my favorite signatures with drawings are those by Pat Chambers and Forrest Nagler.
Back in their day, these guys were all having a lot of fun making these character illustrations. Now of course, we have just as much fun collecting these unique signatures.
By the way, Fred did not invent the idea of an archery signature, as both Art Young and Saxton Pope had unique archery signatures well before Fred ever picked up his first bow.
Means alot to me Wade for you to say that I have a "real treasure".
Killie - man we think alike. The request has already been sent in!
I can't fathom how much your grin muscles hurt after you bought that bow! :thumbsup:
What a find! That would be one bow that I would never get rid of.
THat is very cool and I am sure with a little elbow grease that writing will come right off :)
Great find, and it does not look to have been shot, congratulations. Is there a story, did they both sign the bow at the same time, where and when? Really nice. I wonder if there were any white tips with the bow???
Thats a beautiful riser and a great piece of history.
Congratulations:)
Again Congrats Bill!
Wow, some really cool reading and great piece of history congrats.
Bill, I am glad for your find,thanks for sharing.
congrats! What an honor to own.
Great one bud. I'm truly happy for ya'.
You all should have seen Bill after he got it. He came over and sat down in camp and spent the better part of the afternoon in a catatonic stupor. It was amusing to see Bill in a speechless state of shock.
Bill,
Thanks for sharing the excitement and letting us see your new find...Just think you are holding a piece of history that was also held by a man we all Loved and admired...Fred Bear himself held that bow what a great story to tell to our future Archers...Cherish your time of taking care of it! :archer:
Bill, Thanks for the sharing of your find. She is sure a great find and treasure. Great history you have in your bow rack. God Bless
QuoteOriginally posted by Migra Bill:
Charlie -
Are you the genleman that was with Ken when I picked up his '59?
I too am sorry we could not have spent more time chatting.
Yeah I was with Tony (Hayslope) when you were looking at Ken's Mowrey's (now your) Special. I had just adrrived at my 1st Denton, I was like a kid in a candy store and was on sensory overload. :scared:
Next time perhaps you'll join us on the Retro Shoot.
DBL post :knothead:
Congrats on a great find Bill.With only 20 or 30 so around that's a find of a life time.
Way Cool
Now that is history for sure!
Very cool!
I echo Mudds comment, that IS just way too cool! Thanks for sharing the pictures!
Dan
Awesome find! and really glad another Bear fan has it to appreciate and share.
Thats a keeper for sure enjoy it.
Congrats on a great find and an even better story. You have been blessed my man. :notworthy:
As an admirer of the Bear TD and owner of 4 of them, all I can say is WOW. You hit the jackpot.
Sharing the story and photos with all of us are wonderful acts of generosity on your part. I would love to see that bow first-hand. But reading your story and seeing the photos has been a fantastic experience in its own right.
Thank you.
Joe
Wow, speechless.....
I don't want Bill having to wait a long time for his 1st arrows out of his newest treasure.
Therefore I got on the stick, cut out and sewed up a "Robin Hood" hat that went out in the mail about 15 minutes ago.
God bless,Mudd
Very nice find!
Mudds got something coming his way as well. Anybody remember what St Judes auction I won that involved hats??
nice & nice !
I just found this topic Bill.
As an avid vintage-bear collector and especially Bear take downs, you have found a doozy.
ANY bow held and signed by Fred Bear is very special indeed but your A riser is extra special!!!!!
Enjoy............philip
Thanks Philip - coming from you that says alot.
Remember we were talking about me picking up a bow signed by Fred from you? Guess I don't need it anymore.
Awesome find. Congrats!!
QuoteOriginally posted by Migra Bill:
Thanks Philip - coming from you that says alot.
Remember we were talking about me picking up a bow signed by Fred from you? Guess I don't need it anymore.
Bill,
String it up and practice with it and go kill a deer with that Magnificent Bear T/D!
You can retire it after that.
I would not think twice about hunting with it.
Look forward to seeing pics and Good Luck this hunting season..........Philip
the history that bow could tell would be worth the price of admission.
QuoteOriginally posted by Migra Bill:
[QB] Hit or Miss-
Actually I for got to mention it came with a pair of spotless red tipped #3 limbs that are 48 pounds on the A. When I had my custom bow made last year - guess what weight I had it made in - 48. It was fate.
Here is a pic that Droptine59 took that has the limbs and the case.... but.... I dont think I will be hunting with this one.
I'm not a collector, Bill, but I am very VERY envious of your good fortune in acquiring such a bow. It is a heritage item, for sure! Well done, sir!!
Now, I realize that keeping it in pristine, possibly unfired, condition would be the sensible thing to do but ... I'd have to take it hunting if it were mine.
Specifically, I'd have to take it hunting on
November 11th of this year. Allowing that the chances of taking a deer with it on that very day (11-11-11) are very small, I'd have to think "What if ...?" and go hunting anyway.
Good Luck!
Mike
Wow!Thats about all I can say!Congrats man!
Amazing! Better get that thing into a fire proof safe!
That November 11th hunt idea is actually not a bad one.....considering the mojo that you would impart on that bow if you got a deer with it!
Thanks for letting me put my fingerprints on it at Denton. You truly have something very special there.
:campfire:
That's my EXACT point.
Serial # 1111
This November 11,2011 I would be on stand dawn to dusk rain or shine.
Good Luck Bill..........Philip
Hay Bill be careful I know that old skin flint personally. he would steal flies off a blind spider. :laughing: Just kiddin France is great guy he has done a lot for the sport of archery. Nice bow.
With an autographed bow like that I wouldn't be out in the rain unless you want more tears than the rain provides. Of course , that is if you have not sealed the autograph somehow. I am jealous, and wishing I went to Denton as planned last year. Congrats on a great find. I have not read all the posts to see if anyone has mentioned, but do Carol and Dick Mauch have that stickbow man on the cabin curtains?
Like you said like waking up in the middle of the night with a Leprichan sitting on your chest granting you one wish.!Kudus my friend.
Yes the stckbow man is in the curtains!
I must have a pic of it.
(http://i765.photobucket.com/albums/xx293/dazzafelix/DSCN0854.jpg)
So sorry for such terrible pic,I hope to be able to take a better one soon!
I am sure Wade has a much better one!
What a find, you are a lucky man. Awesome . Congratulations on a real SCORE.
Congrats
QuoteOriginally posted by Raineman:
Great one bud. I'm truly happy for ya'.
You all should have seen Bill after he got it. He came over and sat down in camp and spent the better part of the afternoon in a catatonic stupor. It was amusing to see Bill in a speechless state of shock.
I can attest to that!!!!
It was actually kind of eerie to sit on that Denton picnic table with Bill and fondle that riser.......and not hear a word coming from Bill!!! He was pretty much in a stupor at that point!
Congrats again Bill.....I can't think of a better caretaker for that piece of archery history!
Here is a picture of the stickbow Man on curtains that Carol just sent me.
http://i937.photobucket.com/albums/ad215/mrgq4126/th_IMG_6336.jpg?t=1331560867
Wow Bill, that is about neatest bow I've seen posted here. Congrats!
Very nice!
That's awesome, great find and great buy!