I just got a very nice Bear Tamerlane that is 35# and is 69" in length. The guy that I got it from said that it had never had a string on it and had never been shot. Also, he said that it was a '67 model. I can't find a trace of anything indicating that the bow has been shot. The finish is like new, and there is no cracking in the finish.

Also, the word "DISPLAY" is stamped in the riser near the coin medallion. I'm really curious what this means. I have never seen that before. The riser is Brazilian Rosewood and Phenolic. The bow is to darn pretty for me to shoot and probably belongs in someone's nice Bear collection. Do any of you know the story behind the "DISPLAY' that is stamped into the wood? Thanks for your help. 

If the serial number starts with a 7, it is a 67.

Sounds like you got a great one.  I retrieved an old post with more info on Bear Display Bows.

I'm not sure about the "display" marking. Some bows were displayed just because, but others may have been marked "display" for more ominous reasons. I would do a very thorough inspection before stringing it up.
Also, I bought a '69 HC-300 Tamerlane without a mark on it. But after stringing it up and drawing it back, the finish on the limb backs cracked (cosmetic only) and in talking with the previous owner, he confirmed the bow had sat a very long time in a warm, dry location. The bow shoots fine, I'm just relaying this so you won't be surprised or disappointed if it happens.
S/N 7XXXXX does not guarantee yours is a '67. I sent you a pm with some info I wrote up regarding the Tamerlanes. Enjoy!

Here is a pic of my '64 Tamerlane...showing the SN beginning with a 7

Tamerlane HC-30 1965-1967
If it has phenolic and rosewood and serial starts with a 7, what else could it be?

The 70s models used future wood.

Quote from: TonyW on March 29, 2018, 10:18:11 PM
Tamerlane HC-30 1965-1967
If it has phenolic and rosewood and serial starts with a 7, what else could it be?

The 70s models used future wood.

Ah, I missed the "phenolic" part, Tony. Thanks for the heads-up.

The serial number is "5C32". I just looked at a 1965 catalogue and it appears that this may be the year it was made.

Quote from: 2fletch on March 30, 2018, 09:46:41 AM
The serial number is "5C32". I just looked at a 1965 catalogue and it appears that this may be the year it was made.

Can you post some photos?

[attachment=1]

From the 1965 catalog

I'm going to try to post a photo.

https://i.imgur.com/nfalVvq.jpg

Here is the serial number.

https://i.imgur.com/JWphAwk.jpg

Oh, that is a sweetheart!
Drawing my HC-300 is like pushing a hot knife through butter.

Quote from: TonyW on March 30, 2018, 03:33:30 PM
[attachment=1,msg2788205]

From the 1965 catalog

I have a copy of that page, Tony. I don't have a Black Beauty (yet) but always keeping a watchful eye out. Thanks for posting. Anyone who has shot a Tamerlane is a fan for life.

Here is another photo. I laid gently on the grass for this.


https://i.imgur.com/y92b07o.jpg

Quote from: 2fletch on March 31, 2018, 10:20:02 AM
Here is another photo. I laid gently on the grass for this.


https://i.imgur.com/y92b07o.jpg

Have you shot it yet?
These 69" bows can be somewhat of a bugger to string up, I use the large Selway Stringer and it works great. I have a Bear stringer that works on my HC-300 but the limb tips on the '64 are too thin and the leather cups just swallow them up.

Haven't shot it yet, and probably won't. I did put an old/new Bear string on it, just to hang it on the wall, but I haven't strung it. Supposedly, the bow has never been shot or even had a string on it. I'll probably enjoy looking at it for awhile and then see if a serious collector is interested in it.

Similar to my '66 I've owned since about '68. I used to shoot field and indoor with it.

Quote from: 2fletch on April 01, 2018, 11:38:54 AM
Haven't shot it yet, and probably won't. I did put an old/new Bear string on it, just to hang it on the wall, but I haven't strung it. Supposedly, the bow has never been shot or even had a string on it. I'll probably enjoy looking at it for awhile and then see if a serious collector is interested in it.

Your choice, of course...and probably a sound one if you are planning on turning it. Me; I don't buy bows (or guns) to look at so I would have to string it up and shoot it, but that's just me. I will tell you this much; you don't know what you're missing!

The temptation is there, but I have shot several Tamerlanes. They all pulled out smooth and shot great. Because this bow is over 50yrs. old and hasn't been shot, I believe that I'll respect that tradition.

I have had a number of nice bows brought into the shop for sale, and ever now and then a gem. I'll probably have to sell it because I can't afford a nice Bear collection. Until then I'll just enjoy looking at it.

Ah, OK. You can feel free to take and post as many photos as you like of it here...I guarantee I'll look at them...

Wow! It's sure been tempting to shoot the Tamerlane. Several of the guys in our Tuesday night shoot group offered to pay to see it shot. Now I suppose I'll have to get another one to shoot.