Hi,

Was there any 58" Bear Kodiaks built 1959-1962?

I'm new to old bows, and I don't know all that much, but I thought that they all were 60".

No but anything is possible from Bear. Pics needed if you know of such a critter.

56" Kodiaks made in 1959, also 64" in addition to 60". I've never seen or heard of a 58" Kodiak unless it was a custom. The 56"'ers are good-looking bows.

1960 Kodiak also came in 56" never heard of a 58" in those years.

56" is short...
Prefer 60" :-)

We'll see how long this one is.

60" it was

Välkommen till TradGang! Jag skriver bättre på norska än på svenska, så förvänta dig inte mer av detta.    :D

QuoteOriginally posted by eidsvolling:
Välkommen till TradGang! Jag skriver bättre på norska än på svenska, så förvänta dig inte mer av detta.     :D  

Tack :-)

This is probably a 1960 or 1961 Kodiak, right?

Looks like a 1962 Kodiak

Agree zepnut...looks like a NICE one too.

Ok!

I thought that the 62's had a pewter coin and this looks like aluminum.

Nice bow.

Bear bows of that era have whatever coin got put into them on the day the coin was added...I have 3 1960 Kodiaks with copper coins and only 1 with aluminum...and I have a 1961 Kodiak with a pewter coin...the coin is the least reliable way of indentifying the year...just be aware that the Brazilian Rosewood in that 1962 is highly regulated under CITES...I will no longer risk buying any bow with it across an International border as they can be confiscated without recourse

DDave

Got the bow now and it is great looking and in good condition.

The handle has a star stamped on it and from what I've read no one really seem to know what this stands for...

Seems to be nothing wrong with this one :-)

THATS A PURTY ONE!

The coin appears to me to be nickel.  I have never seen an aluminum or pewter coin that has that sharpness of definition and depth of color.  Plus there is no oxidation or black paint on it.

The finish looks excellent. I wish that I could see the bow in person to look for telltale signs, but it sure looks to me that the bow has been restored by someone that knows what they are doing and that the coin may be a replacement.  That is a good looking bow!

If it has been restored it has been shot a lot afterwards as one can clearly see that this hasn't been a "wall hanger".

Shot it a bit yesterday and it's a nice shooting smooth drawing bow.
Need to select the right spine/weight arrows (it seemed to prefer heavier ones) as well as getting used to shooting it.

Owning both a 59' (new production) and this 1962 I have a feeling that the Vintage Works Bows "1959 Hybrid" might be the perfect blend of the two!