Hi Guys,

I'm looking for some information a bow I received when a gentleman from my church passed away. This was his personal hunting bow and it does hold sentimental value for me. The issue is that it appears to be delaminating just below the grip. It was like this when I got it so I've never shot it. I know nothing about recurve bows so I'm wondering if it can fixed to be shot again or if it would be best to just keep it as a display piece. I would LOVE to be able to shoot it and even hunt with it some day but if that's not possible then I will just display it.

Any other info about the bow would be appreciated as well. I would guess it's a fairly common model.

Thanks,

Joe

Faint writing here looks to say "AAO 80, 56", 44#"

from what I see its a 1956 / 57 Kodiak.... the 1956 Kodiaks were double shelf and the 1957 is either a right or left handed bow ...... need some more pics to tell if its a shooter or not but great gift .... hope you can hunt with it cause either bow would be cool

I should also add that I would fix this myself if not too complicated but would also be happy send it somewhere to be fixed if necessary.

Thanks Again!

http://bowhospital.com/

They cam give you what you need and want without breakn the bank IMHO

now im sure theres many talented bowyers here that can help also but i know and have seem there work and you cant go wrong A good vintage Bear is worth it let alone the sentimental value

Cool bow but it may be done for....

Looks to be a 1959.

I agree that it's toast.

From what I am seeing and from the serial number that is either a 1959 or 1960 Kodiak...the 56 inch version was made in considerably lower numbers than the 60 and 64 inch ones...so no not a particularly common bow...there was a time when a 56 inch in great condition would bring anywhere from 1500 to 2000 dollars...that bow will be repairable to wallhanger status...I doubt anyone can bring it back to shooting condition...just too much delamination

DDave

So far your pictures managed to miss the distinguishing features to determine if it is a 1959 or 1960 (the AA prefix was used in both years)...what we need is a picture of the tips and the overlay on the back of the riser...those are red and white or red, brown and white on a 59 made with micarta and black and white fiberglass on the 1960 models

DDave

Serial number is AA 080 not AAO 80...bows of that era had a two letter prefix followed by a 3 digit number...so that would almost assuredly be a 1959 bow and an early one at that...we also need a picture of both sides of the bow above the leather grip...if it shows any light wood, which is maple, then that would be a very rare bow referred to as an MSW (maple sight window)...at any rate what you have is a very interesting piece of Grayling Bear history

DDave

If it is in fact a Maple Sight Window bow it could very well be only the fourth one of those bows identified in the new millenium...nobody is sure how many of those bows were actually made since records simply do not exist

DDave

It's either a 59 or 60 Kodiak. 59 has Red overlays. 60 has black overlays.

Now we wait for the original poster to return eh Phil...exciting that we could be looking at a very rare bow...incredibly discouraging that it has come apart in such a catastrophic way

DDave

Like a few others said, it's probably not a bow that would be safe to shoot again. But, if you wanted to fix it up to hang on the wall, you could shoot that cracked up area with Loctite 420. Maybe in a long shot it might be shoot able again. Or, send it to someone like Bow Doc or Rich Lopez and have them restore it.

So as not to start a new thread, and I'll apolagise in advance if I'm butting in on this thread. I have a guy wanting to trade me a Bear Grizzly with what he says are zebrawood riser. Did Bear use Zebrawood for risers? For some reason, I can not attach a picture on here. Looks to be in great shape.

Any idea on it's worth without seeing it?

Yes, Bear made zebrawood Grizzlies in 1964-65 and they are very desirable and their price reflects it.

I understand, Bear discontinued using the leather grip in 1959.

This bow has a leather grip.

Paul

59 & 60 had leather grips 61 kodiak 1st year wthout But the 1960 Kodiak deluxe had no leather grip !!!

Thanks for all the information.I was really hoping it could be shot again....

Glad it's something interesting. Here are some requested pics.

Thanks!

Looks like it's the one with maple?

Nope...that is the overlay and the light coloured material is micarta, white at one time but now yellowed with age...the sight window looks like it is Brazilian Rosewood just like the rest of the riser...that would also make it somewhat unusual I think since later 1959 Kodiaks had purpleheart I beams...and thanks for posting those additional pics for clarification...that black plastic just above the grip is what is left of a stickon arrow rest...the leather underneath it appears to be original so be very careful if you try to remove the plastic...the 60 and 64 inch bows from that year were fitted with a featherrest, but I somehow recall the 56 inch bows came with rug type shelf material...there is no rush to do anything with the bow other than protect is from further damage...spend some time doing a little research on it before making a decision about how to proceed...there is a remote chance that someone may be able to bring that bow back to shootable condition...hard to tell just how much damage there is without having the bow in hand

DDave

Sorry to say, but that bow isn't fixable.

If it was (which it's not), it'd probably cost you $200 to $300 to have someone repair and refinish it.

I don't think anyone with a conscience (and that knows what they're doing) would attempt to fix that bow though.

It'd be a safety hazard and a waste of time and money to attempt fixing it.

If it has sentimental value, just hang it on the wall as it is in memory of your friend.

If you want a recurve that you can actually shoot, you'll be better off to take $200 to $300 and find another bow to shoot.

There are plenty of old recurves out there in that price range.

Thanks again guys. Looks like it will be a display piece. Shame it will never shoot another arrow but glad I have it nontheless.

Joe we need at least one more picture of that bow please...if you think about the part of the bow above the leather grip where the arrow sits that is called the shelf...then the part above that, the part you look through above the arrow when you draw the bow,the part on the other side of where the "coin" is inlaid, that is called the sight window...what I need is a better look at the wood in that sight window...could you please get a relative closeup of that wood so that we can see the colour and the grain...I was thinking about it and the fact is purpleheart can be very similar in color to rosewood, especially when 57 years of light exposure is involved...not a really big deal but just nice to know...Wade Phillips likes to record such things and AA 080 is a very low serial number

DDave

Turns out it is kind of a big deal as it appears there has never been a Brazilian Rosewood Sight Window 56 inch 1959 Kodiak identified by modern collectors...once again thanks for joining us on the Leatherwall and posting pictures of that extremely interesting bow

DDave

If it was my bow, I'd glue it back together with Loctite 420 and then refinish it for a display piece.

There's no way that I'd ever shoot the bow but it's probably the most iconic recurve ever made and it's in an unusual length as well.

There are plenty of old threads to search to help give you a start with the project.

Good luck.

Couple more pictures of the sight window area for those interested. Not sure if much can be seen of the wood grain. I may be able to get some better pictures later this afternoon if needed.

Thanks!

If this is as rare and iconic as some say it is you all dont think its worth even seeing if someone in FL would wanta see if something can be done with it? The one limb is delamed to the riser pretty bad but if its super rare id personal have to try and makesure something can be done with it IMHO

Wow...that literally could be the first Brazilian Rosewood Sight Window one identified...it is not common I think for Purpleheart to show such large pores...and yes I too would just sit on that bow for a bit before making any decision about how to proceed

DDave

I think it's purple heart that has yellowed with the finish. I'm certainly no expert though.

I wish Bowdoc still posted. I wonder if he's ok?

Looks like oxidized Purple Heart to me.

Purple Heart turns brown with age and UV exposure.

I'm no expert either, but I've made a bow or two and worked with a lot of different woods over the years. ;^)

Which is exactly why I asked you Brandon...thanks for the response...gonna be interesting to see what that butcher block Rosewood you used for the I beam of my Ace looks like in 57 years...if I live to be 121 that is

DDave

I think I'd glue it back up, clean and polish it and hang it on the wall with an arrow or two. Great histoty there, and I'm glad you are doing what you can to preserve it. Lance.

I'm just curious...given that there appears to be a HUGE amount of surface area that can be accessed easily, prepped, and glued...and the original maple lams appear to be intact...why do folks think this one isn't fixable?

Another question guys, I was really excited to try shooting this thing. I've been wanting to try a recurve for a while and really liked that this one was shorter then many I see, seemed like it would be a really sweet little hunting bow. So, since this one will be displayed,where might I look to find a similar type of bow? Maybe not this exact model but one that would be similar. Kind of scratch the itch to shoot this one without actually doing it?

Theres a leatherwall member that just wrote a great book on Bear bows Id pick up a copy and do some research keep an eye on the classified here and ebay Its like classic cars you can find something of the vintage youd like

Joe one of the first things you will want to do is determine what your draw length might be...Bear Archery in those days would advertise the maximum recommended draw length on their bows and that particular bow model was only recommended for draw lengths to 28 inches as I recall...on the other hand a 52 inch 1962 Kodiak Magnum like the one I have was considered to be good to 31 inches because of differences in design...I shoot mine all the time at 30 inches...if you really have your heart set on another 56 inch Grayling Bear you are going to have a problem...the fact is Bear made some great bows in that length, back in 1959 and 1960, but they never did make very many and most of them would be in the hands of collectors who will not part with them since they were hard to find in the first place...Wade Phillips has the first 56 inch Kodiak Deluxe made in 1960 in his collection...it is an absolutely gorgeous bow...see if you can google a picture of it

DDave

Predeter, Bear is once again making the 1959 Kodiak, so you can order a brand new one.

If you want an original, ebay is your best bet.

I was just on eBay and whatever you do stay away from that crook who calls himself lure100...thought we got him off that site long ago...all the prices for old bows seem really off the wall high right now so just avoid eBay entirely...before you buy on the classifieds here check with one of us to see if we know the seller...most of us have had experience buying and selling with each other

DDave

I was just on eBay and whatever you do stay away from that crook who calls himself lure100...thought we got him off that site long ago...all the prices for old bows seem really off the wall high right now so just avoid eBay entirely...before you buy on the classifieds here check with one of us to see if we know the seller...most of us have had experience buying and selling with each other

DDave

Get this book. It's worth it.

Those new Kodiaks do look nice,they're not cheap! I'm starting to feel like I need one though......

Hi,

The very last picture is the deciding factor. In my humble opinion...she is pretty much done. If I where you.. I'd slide some glue in the delamed area,clamp it and hang it on the wall when dry.. She is a scarce unit and certainly worthy of display.

PS I own several of the new Kodiaks (59' remakes) and love em to death. Not crazy about the maple window one though

The 1968-1970 Bear Grizzly models were 56". Many of the 68's were the first bows Bear made with tigerwood (goncala alves) and some of those are quite handsome bows. They shoot well, too, with only a bit more heft in the riser than the 1959 Kodiak. Browning made a few popular 56" models in the 60's and 70's, including the Explorer / explorer I that had a heavier riser with "horns" and the Wasp with a more compact riser. Some of the Shakespeare Necedah's were made in 55", as well as a few Wing Thunderbirds. If you include the 58" and 60" models, the list of choices explodes. If you're just getting started with shooting recurves, I would try to keep an open mind and try different models and styles , as simple things like the size and shape of your hand, your body build, etc. all lead to different individual shooting forms and individual preferences. The market for vintage bows, like with most "collectibles" does not necessarily reflect the performance. You can spend $2500 on a custom recurve that will shoot with no greater accuracy than a $60 used bow.

Bringing this one back to the top

DDave

If you have already registered, please

sign in now

For new registrations

Click Here