A good friend gave me this to go with my Bear Cub collection (now up to 4!).  Any idea what year it is?  Thanks.

Ron
           

An oldie double shelf. Around 1957.

I got one just like it marked:

TK438
62"
#45

produced between 1956 - 1958.  

Tim

Double shelfs were 55 and 56 weren't they?

I know the Kodiaks were 55-56 not sure about the cubs, but the logic would follow.. 55 had decals 56 they went to the silk screens so I am guessing yours is a 56

It's a '56 or '57.  Like Ken said, they went to silk screens sometime in '56 and the double shelf cub was around like that through '57.  In '58 it was replaced by the double shelf Alaskan.

1956-1957.....actually purty darn good shooting bows right there..sold in 1956 for 22.50 and in 1957 for 24.50........bowdoc

Thanks everyone!  Made up a string for it and hope to shoot it this weekend.

Ron

I wouldnt draw it past 28" nice little bows

Perfect for me, as I have a 27" draw (on a good day:-).  

Any ideas as to brace height?  I have been told 7" or so and that is pretty much what I use on my other cubs.  

I recently read somewhere the older Bear straight bows and reflexed bows (pre-recurve)like to have a brace closer to the old "closed fist and thumb" fistmele (6 1/2"-6 3/4").

Opinions?

Both of mine are braced at around 6-1/2" (and I'm drawing them over 29").  You don't start seeing recommended brace heights over the traditional fistmele until the 1959 Bears.  Even those aren't that much higher except for the longer curves.

Thanks Jeremy!