Archery display at upcoming event in Mich (updated with photos 8/19)

[johnnyrazorhead]

Rick-You're very welcome. Always enjoy being the history lesson at the shows.

Shane-You have a keen eye grasshopper.Your baby wasn't able to make the show this time. I actually had all of the take-down Grumleys packed and ready for show time but there just wasn't enough room for everything. The one take-down Grumley I did display was squeezed in at the last minute. I was fortunate that the vendor that was to be set up next to me decided to set up outdoors so I acquired more floor space and tables. My initial space was almost  122 of what you see here so I was able to put up more displays. Your baby will be making some appearances I promise.

[Shane Reed]

John,
 That is good to hear! Rather see the items safe than crammed into a vehicle just to get them there. I have just acquired another item that I need more info on from fellow collectors. It's a Fred Bear Olsens knife. Has Freds signature in the wood handle. That knife was given to a guy who owned a dry cleaners in MI and became friends with Fred. It was passed down in the family and I found it up for sale on another site.
Shane

[bowhunterfrompast]

TTT...THIS is some great history, let see more  

[stagetek]

Absolutely love threads like this. Excellent job.

[johnnyrazorhead]

I've got more pics to post,just trying to straighten out some problems with  photobucket. Hopefully will get back soon.

[Shane Reed]

Will be anxiously awaiting photos John. Thank you for sharing!

[NIGEL01]

Neat stuff!!

[johnnyrazorhead]

Yippy!! I got my photobucket debacle straightened out.Here's a few more pics from the show.
Here's one of a 1956 Bear Kodiak,60",67# still in the original box,along with some 1956 Bear arrows and two back quivers from the 1950's brand new in their otiginal boxes:
   

Here's a couple of the take-down display.The blackish colored "riser" is a blank from the factory.A chunk of futurewood in it's early stages of becoming a C-riser.Rough cut out,fiberglass overlays glued on,grooves for the latches cut.A chrome latch assembly is shown next to it.On the right is a custom Bear C-riser.
   

And the Holy Grails!!
   

Here's some various items from the Bear Archery Museum(Grayling era)Sorry for the glare from the overhead lights:
   

This one shows Fred's 8mm movie camera bought in Gaylord,Michigan,near Grayling in 1948.shortly after Fred moved operations to Grayling from Detroit.The suitcase is one of Fred's that he used on some of his hunts while travelling the world.This one has "FRED BEAR" in gold lettering on it and a hotel tag from the Captain Cook Hotel in Anchorage,Alaska that says "Mr. Fred Bear" on it.Imagine where this suitcase has gone.
   

[johnnyrazorhead]

Some of Fred's personal items.

Snow glasses to prevent snow blindness from one of Fred's polar bear hunts.(upper left)

Fred's tap & die set from the early days.(upper right)

A bolo tie worn by Fred and given to his sales manager Hap Fling.

Fred's passport from his first trip to Africa in 1955.

Fred's flyfishing flies.

Some of Fred's membership cards to various clubs he belonged to.

Two of Fred's hunting arrows,signed by him.Again,sorry for the glare.
 

The first production(9Z1,60",50#) 1969 Super Kodiak made and featured in the 1969 Bear catalog(shown above it)
   

This might be a better picture of the quivers and 1956 Bear arrows.The Nimrod quiver on the right is an oddball.It's the only one I've ever seen that was black & white.Must have been a custom order.The arrows all have 1956 "bubblehead" razorheads on them.
   

Some items from the first N.F.A.A. tournament ever. Allegan,Michigan in 1946.
 

My small tribute to Ann Marston.Hoped to have more items from her to share but didn't happen in time.Hopefully soon.Here's one of her show outfits as shown earlier.
 

[alaskabowhunter]

Wow, great history there John, that nimrod is very cool.

[johnnyrazorhead]

It is some wonderful history Chuck.Amazing how much we all still love to see this old stuff after all these years.That Nimrod is a pretty cool quiver.Wish I knew the story behind it.It's generally considered a hunting quiver considering the way it's designed but someone appears to have wanted one for the target range.Unless they were planning on hunting Panda bears.Hmmm..... Have to see if there's a "Made in China" tag on it somewhere!

[zepnut]

Some great stuff there John. Thanks for sharing.

[TRAP]

Wow John, some amazing collectibles with a great deal of history mixed in.  Very nice job on your display.  

Trap

[Shane Reed]

John,
 Just acquired a knife like the one pictured below the knife in the box. Enjoying these pics.
Shane

[Terry Green]

NICE

[alaskabowhunter]

I had to go back and  look over your pics again John. I must say I'm impressed with your display talent. You have a good eye and great stuff. I know it took a lot of searching and scrounging to find everything. There's more out there. Just when you think you've seen it all, something new pops up. You really need to get to Omaha one of these days. Stop by Minnesota and I'll drive the rest of the way there.

[MR BILL SHORTY]

VERY NICE THANK YOU

[TonyW]

Thought John might like to see this - guess what bow this!

[Blackhawk]

1957-58 Bear Kodiak Special  

[johnnyrazorhead]

Tony,
 What a great picture of a beautiful and talented lady. Thanks very much for sharing it.

 Sounds about right on the bow too.