Fred Bear "Black Bear"- Does anyone know more about of these?

[ANT6184]

My brother gave me this bow; he spotted it while driving to work the other day and rescued this bow from the trash in Queens, NY.
I'm the archer / hunter in the family so he gave her to me.
I cleaned it with some murphys oil and it looks great, very minor blemishes.

Fred Bear "Black Bear" model
60" AMO
30# @ 28"
Right Hand
Stabilizer insert
Black glass on front & belly
Manufactured in Grayling, MI (1972-1978)
Serial # KL36957      [/IMG]   [/IMG]   [/IMG]   [/IMG]   [/IMG]   [/IMG]         [/IMG]      

Exact year of manufacture?
Type of wood / construction material?

I searched the web but haven't been able to find another example of this exact bow...

Can anyone provide more info on this bow?

[Blackhawk]

Exact date on these may be tough in that the style remained about the same.  I've had them in the past and they are good serviceable bows, but not considered very collectible by most Bear folks.  Values can vary depending on weight and condition with $60 to $100 being average in my opinion.

Getting a good deal on an old bow is fun, but I say you got the deal of the month.

[ANT6184]

Thanks Lon,

Yeah it was a lucky find... I'll string her up and teach my 8 year old boy to shoot.

[D.Sheppard]

My first trad deer fell to a Bear Black Bear,
KL41070 - AMO 60" - 45#

Not a top of the line bow but one I bet your boy will be proud to shoot ! We will need pics !

I still have it and shoots as well as most any vintage bow I have.

[ANT6184]

Yes, he's a lucky boy.  I'll be sure to post pics of Jr. practicing once the bow is setup and tuned.

Never had a traditional bow before (only Hoyt compounds) but she is pretty (even for a low end model).  Made me want to buy one more my size but I can't decide which.  So far I only looked at the Bears; I like the Bear 60" Kodiak Recurve Bow
Item Number: 20923X (3rivers) & the Bear 64" Grayling Green Super Kodiak Recurve Item Number: 20201GX (3rivers).

I can't decide which buy first; any suggestions? It doesn't have to be a bear model; perhaps a custom bowyer you pros would recommend?

[Horney Toad]

1972 to 1978 they were made.

[Captain*Kirk]

Originally posted by ANT6184:
Yes, he's a lucky boy.  I'll be sure to post pics of Jr. practicing once the bow is setup and tuned.

Never had a traditional bow before (only Hoyt compounds) but she is pretty (even for a low end model).  Made me want to buy one more my size but I can't decide which.  So far I only looked at the Bears; I like the Bear 60" Kodiak Recurve Bow
Item Number: 20923X (3rivers) & the Bear 64" Grayling Green Super Kodiak Recurve Item Number: 20201GX (3rivers).

I can't decide which buy first; any suggestions? It doesn't have to be a bear model; perhaps a custom bowyer you pros would recommend?

The K-Hunter is very forgiving at 60". I found an early '70s sweetheart on that big auction site (you know which one I mean) that looks almost new. They have a much fuller grip than the Grizzly and 2" longer as well.