Bear Kodiak Specials 1955-1967 Identification Guide

[Wade Phillips]

Rick -

Nice find. You have a Kodiak Deluxe, which is exactly what the partial decal shows...

This link will also show that your serial number is consistent with the other 1960 60" Kodiak Deluxe serial numbers....

http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=14;t=002910

[Rick Enos]

Thanks Wade,I just had a tradganger point that out to me.

[zepnut]

1959 Kodiak Special LH WB083 64" 50#

[zepnut]

Forgot to add with underlays.

[Wade Phillips]

Norm -

Thanks.

Just added 1959 Kodiak Special LH WB083 64" 50# with underlays

[Hoof]

Originally posted by Hoof:
Wade, here's one you can add to the 59KS list  1959 62", 48# - VA611L - no underlays - Hoof ....Looks like I have the little sister to yours?

[Stinger]

Here is another '59 KS to add to the list.  I purchased this recently from another TG member.  As you can see in the second photo, it is marked UB 448 64" 45# and has the underlays.  It looks good with the new Trap feather rest.

The serial number seems suspect as I haven't seen any others that started with a "U" listed here.  It could be that the riser was refinished at some point and the original "V" or "W" was remarked improperly.

[Wade Phillips]

Originally posted by Hoof:
 

Originally posted by Hoof:
Wade, here's one you can add to the 59KS list  1959 62", 48# - VA611L - no underlays - Hoof ....Looks like I have the little sister to yours?

[/b][/QUOTE

Hoof - Just added your VA611L to the serial number list on page one of this thread. Thanks for posting it.

Is the bow in original condition with the original serial number marked on it?

It is cool to finally see two consecutive serial numbers on the list...

[Wade Phillips]

Stinger -

Thanks for posting your 59 KS marked UB 448 64" 45# and has the underlays.

The bow looks to be refinished. Do you know who did the refinish?

I ask because the serial number is out of sequence for 64" 1959 Kodiak Specials and likely the original numbers were not put back on the bow when it was refinished.

I have one such incorrectly marked 1959 Kodiak Special that is refinished. The finish was in such poor condition, actually it was gone, that it did not have any numbers on it before it was refinished. Then  when refinished, it was marked at random, with numbers are that not typical to 1959 Kodiak Specials.

You just never know about the markings on refinished bows.

[Stinger]

Wade,  I was pretty sure that the number had been transcribed wrong when it was refinished.  I'm guessing the original first letter was a "W".  If that had been partially rubbed off over time, I could see where someone would think it might be a U.  If you look close you can see the tail of the U on the right side.  If the original had been a V, I don't think the refinsher would have done that.  

I bought the bow from HootieC.  He said a guy named Rick did the refinish.  I sent an email to determine who 'Rick' is.  Hootie said the only thing that was done was it was sanded, new decals,tips are the same.  He hunted with it and just wanted it cleaned up; it had 2 small stress lines in it, but you cant hardly see much of anything now.  The bow wasn't beat up or anything when he had it refinshed,just showing its age.

[Hoof]

Wade as far as I can tell it's all original condition, it's in decent shape with a few scratches and lite dings. It appears to have the original feather rest too.. It could be cleaned up some, here are a few pics of it.
Thanks, Hoof

Originally posted by Wade Phillips:
 

Originally posted by Hoof:
 

Originally posted by Hoof:
Wade, here's one you can add to the 59KS list  1959 62", 48# - VA611L - no underlays - Hoof ....Looks like I have the little sister to yours?

[/b][/QUOTE

Hoof - Just added your VA611L to the serial number list on page one of this thread. Thanks for posting it.

Is the bow in original condition with the original serial number marked on it?

It is cool to finally see two consecutive serial numbers on the list... [/b]

[Wade Phillips]

Hoof -

Thanks for posting the photographs of VA611L.

It is a real beauty and looks a lot like VA612L as far as the wood type and grain.

[Wade Phillips]

Stinger -

I love the grain in Brazilian Rosewood in the sight window of your 59 Kodiak Special. I wish they all looked that good.

In looking at the photograph of the serial number that you posted, the actual handwritten lettering on that serial number doesn't appear to be anything close to the original lettering that I have ever seen on any of the dozens of 1959 Kodiak Specials that I have seen and owned over the years.  

If the fellow you bought the bow from, HootieC. said said the only thing that was done that was he had Rick do sanding and new decals, I would have to guess that the lettering on the serial number was already altered before HotieC acquired the bow.

Just compare your 64" to the photograph that Hoof posted of the serial number on his 62"...

   

   

[1Maddog]

I thought you might like this.  I bought this bow in 1974 from Dave Cooks sporting good in Aurora CO.
It was in a close out bin for $25.00.

[Lucas K]

On of my favorite models.  I must say that rosewood looks terrific.

[TonyW]

ttt

[Wade Phillips]

Looks like my last post on this thread was May 8, 2011,... boy that is nearly three years ago. Time sure flies.

Don't know that anybody is still interested in Kodiak Specials, but if anyone has any 1959 KS to add to the list on the first page of this thread, please post them and I will get that list updated, if I can remember how to do that.

Have seen some unusual and/or really nice Kodiak Specials turn up over the past few years. Was lucky enough to pick up a few additions including one in December 2012 with the "EXP" factory marking, which only provides more proof that that we collectors sure haven't found and documented everything that is out there.

[Blackhawk]

Here's another 59 KS to add to the list:

1959 68", 50#@30" - YB364L - no underlays - Lon

[Jack Shanks]

I have a couple more '59 Kodiak Specials to add also.

XE683 66" 49# no underlays

WL570 64" 50# no underlays

[Larry m]

Thought I might have posted this one before but don't see it on the list anywhere so here it is. Along with a 58 and a 62.

1959 KS
XF086 66" 40# no underlays

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