My 1st serious target bow was a Kodiak Special Deluxe - 1960

 

 

CJ those were some real lookers right there.No doubt the KSD was one of the better looking bows ever built.bowdoc

1963 tamerlane I have one with wood that is something!!
was it a 1967 kodiak special that is zebrawood and black phenolic. My wife shoots one its dam nice.

Winner - The ultimate Classic Beauty of Bear Bows, and unquestionably the prettiest bow in my modest collection...

All original circa 1945 Fred Bear Snake Skin Back, Solid Osage, Take Down, Deerslayer, branded "Bear Products by Grumley", in dead mint condition. Handcrafted by the Michelangelo of old time master bowyers, Nels Grumley. A true museum piece. No photograph could ever do this bow justice.  

   

HM #1 Any 1959 or 1960 with the word Kodiak in its name (Kodiak, Kodiak Special, Kodiak DeLuxe, Kodiak Special DeLuxe)

HM #2 Fred Bear Signature Bow

Superb!  

Maybe Bill will post a picture of my old Tamerlane.  Maybe not THE prettiest like those above but not hard to look at either.

Richard - I think I was able to dig up a pic or 2 of that bow.

 1963 Tamerlane

Ya got one outta the "spot", Bob.

Bill,
It looks a lot better out in the daylight than it did in my basement.  I forgot how pretty it is.  Thanks.

Wade that Grumley is truely amazing! That bow deserves a thread of its own (with closer pic's and the story behind it). WOW

Greg - The Snake Skin Back Grumley is truly in a class by itself. I've owned very few bows in my life that would ever come close to it. There is a great story behind the bow, but I have not yet taken the time to write it up. I'll put that on my list of things to do, when I find that list...

Fortunately, Bear made thousands of great looking bows so we all have a chance to own some of them.

Jack - Where are the photographs of that Red Kodiak hiding ???

I'd like to see it.

I hate to post of the photographs of my Red Kodiak because everyone will be disappointed that is is a 1950s Bear Kodiak... No, I did not spray paint it, it was made RED.

It's really hard for me to stay focused for 5 shots in a row. Seems there is always at least one flyer.  8^(

My favorite riser wood is Zebrawood.  So that makes my Kodiak Special my prettiest Bear Bow...
remember...beauty is in the eye of the beholder...Can someone help me with the date on this bow?  Light green glass on back and belly,
Alum coin, sr# 29C161, 63"AMO, 40#'s.
 
 

1961 Kodiak Special Tom and one fine fine looking bow.bowdoc

What was the give-away clue, Don?

Clues are evidence, green glass, angle of the grip in the riser, wood grain.

Tom - Is the bow refinished?

SWEET '61  

Where do you guys find this stuff?

I would be embarrassed to put most of my meager collection on here!

Tom I. - I only asked if the bow was refinished becasuse it is as clean as a hounds tooth. have never seen a 61 survive with such a light clean color.

Some bows do make it 40 or 50 or more years with a clear finish, mostly because they are in a case or closet.

QuoteOriginally posted by BobT:
Where do you guys find this stuff?

I would be embarrassed to put most of my meager collection on here!

Seriously...

Mine would total the equivelent of one of your guys' "junk drawers"..   :eek:  

I can't really vote on the best shooting bow,as I've only shot a 76er,a black bear,two grizzlys and a 57 kodiak.