After HBK's Type 1 thread, it's only fair to give Gainesville some credit too! These Futurewood impregnated maple risers w/ the factory lowered type 2 shelf are not only excellent shooters, but beautiful works of art!

Post them up - here we go! B-2710

I have B-2705 in like-new condition. It is a beauty.

Are there green stripe A's?

Not unless a "lunch box special" was made by an employee. I've never seen/heard of a GS A riser.

That's a beauty Joe.

Matt you may not realize it but you have a mean streak...first I miss out on that great C riser bow you had for sale...now you remind me of a great Green stripe bow that I missed out on a while back...thankfully since I enjoy seeing pictures of old Bears I will forgive you...well that and the tip you gave me on another C riser...seems like that one got sold too

DDave

My 1984 ( B-5613 ) with factory camouflage. And my 1989 ( B-6968 ). Both B-risers, #1 Limbs, and 60#@28".

B-5221. My favorite bow with 48# red tip limbs.

Nice ones Ktd. You guys have more will power than I do to keep that camo paint on there!

4nolz - you should post a pic of your factory painted riser and what year to compare.

Sent ya a pm Dave.

stick33, I have two Bear Takedowns with the factory camo. My 1984 in the picture above, and also my 1996 brown stripe which Bear Archery calls traditional camo, but to me it's just a dark o.d. green. I also have a 1998 Bear Grizzly in advantage camo. Bear Archery only made the Grizzly in the advantage camo one year. I like the factory camo bows as much as the other ones. They all have character. :)

Green stripe purchased on the wall a few moths back ser# 4571 ,new red tip 50# limbs also purchased here. Sold my border black douglas and haven't looked back. This is my 5th bear tx since early 70's. Addictive

Sorry try better picture

Phil - that one sure is a looker. Those bright stripes are my favorite. They started about mid 4xxx from what I've seen.

B-5116 Lefty with Stahl limbs..

So nice to see these beauties! I recently came across this one with a set of #2 limbs. She needs some TLC and I would appreciate any help in getting her cleaned up and restored.

I own three Type I's, but always thought the green-stripe was the nicest of the lot. I've had three over the years and let them go--what an idiot! I'd love to have a righty and a lefty green-stripe back in the stable.

I AM A LEFTY!!! If I ever see a lefty Green Stripe for sale and have a couple bucks rolling around it's going to be mine.

I am no Bear TD officianado/specialist/collector, but the green stripes are just cool in my opinion.

An awesome lefty just sold on the big site last night. Hopefully a LW'er got it!

If anyone has any literature from the early 80's Bear catalogs showcasing the GS, feel free to add pics to this thread!

I had a LF factory camo one back in the mid 80's I wish I never sold it...uggggh

Kurt, I believe the GS without the inserts were only found in the early ones prior to serial# 6000. I have one of each and can really see no difference in the grip or how they shoot.

Yes, all those GS models are that good!

Serial #2457

Three years ago same bow

B3156 in box

Steve - that's an early one! And Matt - what's the story on B-1595 - original or refinish? Interesting!

Big Striper - The laminated birch risers started right around sn 6000. I've seen Futurewood models without inserts that numbered 59xx.

Kurt, Blackhawk is right. About serial number 6000 Bear added the quiver inserts. Prior to that there was only one screw at the bottom of the riser to hold the single-arm spring arm quiver. There was a stabilizer insert too where a bracket could be mounted to hold a single spring-arm quiver also.

I consider this a brown stripe but same family ser#b6581

Again to me not a green stripe but same family. Strange ser#B495205. Neil Byce at Bear told me he did not understand the 5 digits.

Redtail, if that is the original box, what is the date on it?

Its interesting that green stripes are getting "sheik"

Don't understand the pot cooking. I don't even have that pic?? Here is the bow

Stick, I got that bow from a guy who only owned it for 2 weeks. He got it from original owner up in Alaska. I have the original bill of sale somewhere here. Original owner put bushings in for side quiver and when I shot one shot the top one pulled out so I had to send it to BowHospital to get fixed. In order to fix it the whole thing needed a "light refinish" even though it didn't need it. Unfortunate for the mild refin, but it's a beautiful riser and it wont leave my house till I'm dead... maybe go in the cremation process with me.

Phil, it is the correct box. Serial number on box but no date on box

Mike - any backstory, sn, or manufacturer date on that one? Cool!

Redtail, that pot looks good to me!

muddy - please follow up with that bill of sale - would like to find out when it was made. That serial number is in it's own class for green stripes.

This is the bushing blow out and the fixed product.

Mike nice camo 1984 kodiak takedown. Was that camo done by Bear Archery ?

Yes factory camo

Mine is # 2421. Sweet bow!

Early 80's.

I've read about those green tip limbs that came with these fine bows, and cannot find anyone who likes them.

Are these limbs really the "dogs" folks claim?

I miss that 1 Dan!

Thanks for posting guys - one awesome collective collection of green stripes. Keep 'em coming!

I have 2 sets of greenie tips, love em.

You know where it's at Matt....... for now. ;-)

I've had this Bear sense early 80s when I got it new. Steel wooled the front to change it to grey and snaked the limbs to blend into the trees for hunting. Didn't care for the screws for mounting a quiver so replaced one with a compass. Have a new set of border limbs for 3D shooting. Dropped 15# in weight and still shoots the same FPS. To me this is the best recurve out there and they look so good. Nice bows guys.

This would be great if you can add a serial number to the pic

Wow Zep - awesome!

Lots of nice Green Stripe Bear Takedowns. 4nolz, I really like your camo one.

Out of my five I like shooting my 1984 green stripe factory camo model the most. I definitely shoot it the best. It's one of the smoothest drawing bows I ever shot. Looking at all these Bear Takedowns makes me want to buy another one. "lol"

Imagine if they had made the "Greenie" in an A riser.. Holy moley

My factory camo has silkscreen etc but no specs on riser.I've heard a couple theories about that but who knows,the limbs have specs but not the riser.

Case and all the paperwork, which isn't much. Amusingly enough the bow started in Hawaii it looks like. My favorite bow for the most part.

Is that an 8/17/82 receipt? Can't quite make it out.

Got mine in 96 from a fellow wall'er, Thanks again Buddy!

That is about the same price I payed for mine. My number on mine was B 5193 is there a place I can check to find out what year it was made? My brother and I are in disagreement on when we got them. He thinks 79 to 80, I think 82 to 84 Thanks Dennis

8/17/88

greyrider, there is no definitive list of serial numbers and dates. Even on Rich Lopez's site, where numerous green stripes are listed, there seem to be some discrepancies. That said, I believe 5193 is likely from 1984.

greyrider, If I remember correctly the wood handled kodiak takedowns were not reintroduced until 1981 ( 1981 catalog attached ). Also in 1981 the Fred Bear Signature Takedown Bow was introduced. I believe the 1979 and 1980 catalogs did not have the wood riser kodiak takedowns in them.

The grayling were, Wood Handle Take-Down 1969-1972 and Wood C- Riser Victor Custom 1973-1975. 1976 to 1980 I do not believe the wood riser kodiak takedowns were being made, but a few of them years the magnesium riser ones were. I did check my catalogs for 1976, 1977, and 1978, no wooden riser kodiak takedowns in them.

Fascinating stuff. I'm probably way off, but here's my thoughts for year built and serial number.

Aside from muddy's riser, earliest sn started at 24xx. How many were cranked out in a year... 300? 400? 500? Going by 500 hypothetically, '81 risers started around 24xx, '82s... 29xx, '83s... 34xx, '84s... 39xx, '85s... 44xx, '86s... 49xx, '87s... 54xx, '88s... 59xx. I know around ser 6xxx, the risers switched from Futurewood to laminated Birch w/ inserts. I think that change was shown in the 1988 catalog. But that's a lot of risers. Doesn't seem possible that many were made. And I don't think there were.

If you compare Grayling wood B serial numbers which ranged roughly between 1xxx - 24xx, that's 1400 bows. But only 800 were thought to have been made. Thoughts on this?

Using the same math (6000-2400) × (800÷1400), I get around 2000 risers were built between 1981- 1988. Who knows. Anyone have an explanation?

A lot of nice bows here. Your welcome PapaDoc, I miss that bow now and then lol

I don't have an explanation on the numbers but I'm reasonably sure that the bow i have, SN 5221, was made in 1984.

On Rich Lopez's site there is a long list of bows and serial numbers. The first number recorded is 1595 followed by a gap until 2421. SN 4465 has documentation to show it was purchased in August 1982. 4792 was purchased in August 1983. 5613 (factory camo) is believed to have been purchased in 1984. 6601 was purchased in August 1990.

I don't know how many were built in any given year or if the number built was the same or varied. It's also hard to tell how long they sat on dealer's shelves before being sold. I know in 1984 I had to look hard for one within driving distance of my home and finally found one about 3 hours away.

SN B-3892

Phil, you're right. That B-4465 made in '82 pretty much rules out any logical explanation. Amazing to me that this info remains a mystery.

B-2513 Blackstripe from 1981 , B-5123 have factory invoice December 1983

stick33, You call it a mystery. I call it madness. "LOL"

Here's a theory:

By the early 80's, trad gear was beginning to be phased out by most companies and replaced with the compound. Bear "may" have been trying to confuse/confound the competition by giving the impression they were still making and selling thousands of the TD.

I know early gun companies did the same to give the impression of increasing gun sales.

Other side

Serial numbers not such a big mystery if you think this way...what is Bear Archery did not serial number and final finish those risers until they had an order for them...they could have sat around the factory for quite some time

DDave

Thanks coueskiller. That helps confirm what others have said.

Perhaps 2 assembly lines w/ staggered books of serial numbers. 1 starting at 24xx and the other starting at 44xx. That would explain the difference in dye color of the accent stripe for risers 44xx-6000+. And also justify why both low & high serial numbered risers were in circulation at the same time, yet with no duplication.

I don't think they had two lines. You can follow the progression of stripe colors and riser materials over the years.

They only had one set of machines. All of which are still at GNV. They had lot of presses but I cannot place any other machine that was duplicated.

This is all great, thanks for the info. Just got back from the archery shop where on the wall is 2 green strips one signed. Both look like new and never shot but can't never get him to sell one and wouldn't even know what they would be worth. He has a lot of old framed pic. Of Fred Bear and some of him in them to so probable never get him to let loose of one

I have # 2421. Rich Lopez list has 001 Al Reader, next Matt waters, mine is third place! Who knows what year it was made?

Once more pic

Has to be 1981.

Thanks

Coueskiller thanks for posting. That explains about one of my bows.

Thanks for posting everyone! What a fine display of Green Stripes and a wealth of dating info to go along. Here's a short list of serial numbers which have pertinent dating info to possibly help ID your riser. Please continue to add info.

B-3330 1982 (purchased & signed) B-4465 1982 (factory invoice 8/23/82) B-4972 1983 (bought from dealer 8/83) B-5123 1983 (factory invoice 12/83) B-5613 1984 (factory camo introduced 84) B-6092 1987 (factory invoice 7/28/87)

That's a beauty Mike - got a serial #?

stick33, Good thread, lots of great information.

Thanks Stick33...updating my registry list

Rich Lopez

stick,,no ss#, haven't had that riser for about 4-5 yrs. now. It was an earlier model, in the low 2's. It was a beauty.

This thread just emphasizes that a huge portion of the appeal of collecting old Bears is speculation...how boring would it be if we actually knew...I like the idea of Bear trying to pull a fast one with the serial numbers...Carroll Shelby did exactly that with the AC Cobra...next time you think your collecting habit is expensive check out what it costs to collect AC Cobras

DDave

Enjoying the photo's and information. I've got a question..

I recently had one given to me and know little to nothing about it. But I noticed all the numbers start with A or B.. in your thread. Mine may be newer, not sure, late 90s maybe.

appreciate any information you might provide..

TDH 589 on the riser and the limbs match the 589 number.

chris

Mine is: B-2418, with a rounded shelf like the compounds.

Woodsman yours is a relatively current production.

Woodsman TDH prefix was from 1990 to 2003.

If it has a coin with Fred Bears face on it 1998 to 2003.

I PM you with more information since this is a green stripe thread.

It has Fred's face on it. Appreciate the info.

chris

woodsman, 1998 or 1999 with your serial number and that coin.

Cats Green with Rose Oak limbs Strained Grey birds eye with white tips. I sold a couple to get this one that came with 50 weight limbs that are not forsale. Sorry, I like the Rose Oak limbs like 52 weight my draw. Serial B-6892.

Picture didn't get in? Wha happened?

I wanted a pure one and this was it when I saw it on classifieds. I really wanted it.

Late late 80's, maybe even very early 90's on that one 'Cat.

Missaukee B-2418 is the earliest one I've heard of. Got any pics?

RymanCat, Late 80s yes, but not early 90's. The serial number prefix changed from B- to TDH- in 1990. Your serial number being B-6892 I would say 1988 or 1989. I have one that looks just like yours with a serial number B-6968 and mine is a 1989 model.

Bought this one that Bill Krenz had posted for sale the old Traditional Bowhunter Magazine classifieds long before the existence of the "World Wide Web". Serial # B-195187. Been through a lot of them over the years and the grip on this one suited me the best so it was the only one that I never wound up selling.

Sold this one during a weak moment.

Yellow Dog, that serial# B-195187 sure is a mystery. The bow looks like those late 80's versions and thought I had one of the last with B-6988.

BTW, since Bill Krenz was one of my favorite writers and accomplished bowhunters, I know I would have kept it also.

That B-2513 Blackstripe from 1981 is an awesome looking riser!

I got mine with box and all the stuff inside, manuel,string like a new bow it was really anyways only supposidly shot couple times. I put a skinny string won't use the original ever.

Hawk I have #7005. It has either plastic or ivory medal, did they use this type medal

Medal

I do have pics...

Yellow Dog, Yours is the second one I've seen with that type of number. Rich Lopez has one listed on his site with the number B-194166. It's interesting that they chose to change the numbering to something that different.

I bought it from Bill Krenz who at one time was a VP for Bear Archery. I'm thinking it may be an oddball for some reason?

Could be that they made a couple or few for special folks before they changed to the brown laminated risers.

Mighty fine collection of lefties right there!

Felix has the lefty market cornered :-)

I love them??

cacciatore that is one beautiful takedown supreme.

This one is B-5125 and is a lefty.

Here's mine. -Azdriheat-

Here's mine. -Azdriheat-

Gosh, sure wish I could post a picture of what the mailman brought to me this morning.

I can't say I have ever seen a bad looking one yet

This one has a bunch of large "blonde" streaks in the wood. Never seen one like it.

Yes I bought one off flea bay. flawless condition with aluminum case a couple dozen arrows and a quiver. I love this bow. B riser with several sets of limbs for it now. The one I have the palm area is wider than the new ones fits great. Thank You Owen Jeffery and Fred Bear!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have a 1992, B7084 but not sure if it is considered a green stripe as the green does show up very well. Made 10-06-92 on the box. What do you think?

I have one mine looks just like jimreed serial #b-594128. what year is it?

these serial numbers are confusing the hell out of me!

Here ya go its brand new have all the documents and box . Right now have a trick set of limbs on it.

Trick set of limbs that look great on here with skinny FF padded looped string.

What is the oldest wooden A riser? Did they make a Grayling A? I don’t mean the Mag riser either. ~Wojo

1969

Not sure but what happened to all our photos from before?

I could be wrong was thinking it was one of the newer ones made. I have a 50 weight set of limbs that were in the box.

Does 92 on the serial mean 1992?

I don't think so, Glenn. If so mines a '39 and I know that isn't right.

I was hoping to see some bow porn on this thread, but all the pics are not showing up.... :-(

~Wojo

I was hoping to see some bow porn on this thread, but all the pics are not showing up.... :-(

~Wojo

Shag your Kodiak Takedown was made from 1985 to 1989 because it has a B-serial number prefix. In 1990 Bear went to a TDH-serial number prefix.

Here is the serial number on mine.

Thanks, Frank! I guess Glenn's would fall in to that time frame as well.

I do really love mine. Shooting the factory limbs that came on it, 55 pounders. It was in absolute pristine condition when I got it in the spring. It's been in the woods with me all fall and it's earned a scuff or two now. But that's irrelevant, it'll never be for sale...absolute favorite of all the bows I own or have owned.

Up to serial number 6000 the risers were made from Futurewood - impregnated maple. Beginning around 6000 they were made with laminated wood and had more bushings for quivers and sights. That happened around 1986 - maybe late 85. The early 80s bows had a very pronounced green stripe. With the laminated risers it became a darker brownish-green.

what year did they change the color of the coin?

Too bad all those photos are gone.

Shag, The 1981 to 1984 models also had B-serial number prefixes but they had different wood risers and a very green accent stripe than yours.

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