I have an old Fred Bear Polar recurve that belonged to my father. The markings that are hand written on the side near the grip are as follows

A
MX380
64"
47#

The length and weight I understand.

Can anyone tell me anything about this bow (year, where made). I sent an e-mail to Bear Archery but the guy who answered back couldn't tell me much.

Pics would help, but my money is on pre 1960.  If it has a bunch of deflex in the riser it's a '59 or '60.  If it's right OR left handed and no deflex it's a '57 or '58.  If it's right AND left handed it's a '55 or '56.

The Polars are a highly underated bow (based on fleabay prices anyway).  I love shooting mine (a '55, '58 and '59) and they'll all be in the woods with me when it's their turn  

I think they went to a 66" bow in '61, and a 'his' and 'hers' model in '62... nothing in 64" though.

While we're talking about Polars can someone shed some light on the '55-'58 Polars with the riser laid up like a Kodiak.  You know, with the purpleheart trimmings.  It seems all of those I've seen were marked at something other than 28", so are they the custom ordered ones?  I love to get my hands on a '57 laid up like that in 50#+  :D

I'm not real sure what you mean by "deflex". Can you explain? I'll get some pics for you guys

Thanks.

I think deflex is referring to some curvature in the limbs as opposed to straight limbs with curved tips.

Here's what I mean by deflex

There's a curve toward the archer coming off the riser.  That's my '59 above.

Here's my '55:


There's just reflex coming off the riser - it's constantly bending away from the archer.  The '57-'58 has nearly the same profile as the '55-56, but is right or left handed as opposed to dual shelf.

Hope that helps.

Jeremy,

Mine looks just like yours in the second pic. It bends away from the archer. The bow is right handed only.

I'll post some pics tomorrow.

Thanks

A '57 or '58 then.  The difference between those two are pretty subtle and varies depending on the time of year they were built     You've got the sow bellies and the rounded vs scalloped sight windows to tell 'em apart  

Okay guys, I've got the pics but I can't figure out how to send them. How do I find my URL?

There is a tutorial in the PowWow section on posting pictures.  

I download pictures into Photobucket (free website) and then Copy the URL from there and Paste them here.

Trap

Here are the pics of the bow. Let me know if you need anything else.

BTW: Thanks Trap.







Is the "1953" the patent date?

A 1957 Polar in really good shape!  The 1953 is the patent date.  I'll check the brace height on my '58 when I get home, but it should be somewhere around 6-1/2".

That is a very nice looking '57 Polar. According to the 1957 Bear catalogue it sold new for $32.50. Great find.

Thanks for all the help guys.

Jeremy, I've got the BH set at 7 1/2". I was  told by others it should be between 7" and 8 1/2". Please check it for me and let me know.

That's definitely too high!  Until '59 all the Bears were still using the old 'fistmele' brace heights, in the 6-7" range depending on bow length.  The old Bears more closely resemble selfbows than the new highly deflexed recurves in that regard.
Even the 64+" 1959 Kodiak Specials are only supposed to have a 7-8" brace height according to the catalog.

Drop the brace down an 1-1/2" little at a time and you'll find that it'll get noisier, then quieter, then noisy again.  The sweet spot should be somewhere in the 6-3/8" to 6-5/8" range if I'm remember correctly (for both my 55 and 58).  You'll pick up 5+ fps over bracing at 7-1/2" as well.  

Thanks, I'll work on it today.

I just wonder how many Bear bows from the 50's are still shot on a regular basis?

I was wondering the same thing. I shoot mine almost everyday and plan to hunt with it this year.

Hi Dutch152, (and all!)
I have a '59 polar too, 64", 49#. Shoots great, and I agree, very underrated bows. I also shoot and hunt with a 1952-53 Kodiak K-4, static tipped,
(non-alum lam!) at 53# @28". Great bow, suprisingly fast! Just got a new Bear tape on quiver I will use on it.

I am addicted to all things vintage, it is really nice to be able to collect and use this neat old equipment! I dont feel handicapped at all with this gear.

Harry.