Guys I need some help here. I have a buddy that wants to sell a Bear bow he bought years ago. It’s a Kodiak Special, 38 pounds. It’s Grayling and the Serial number is 11DC112. I’m just not familiar with this bow. Any help would be appreciated. I saw some on eBay and they ranged from $100 to $1000. That thousand dollar one must have indeed been special. Too rich for me. Anyhow any idea of a value or something else to look for?

They made Kodak specials from 1955-1967. They were always a target bow. Gonna need pics! All that serial number tells us is it was made sometime before 1965. I'm guessing it's mid to late 50's

Thanks SB. Yes I need to actually see it. Apparently there were several different configurations according to my research so far. I’ll get some pics to post. I might buy it if it turns out it’s not an expensive one. As soon as I get some pics I’ll add them to the thread.

Oh...and I have one of about every year they were made. There wasn't any made worth 1000.00! Somebodys dreaming! Probably the most I spent for one was a couple hundred bucks,and that would be a mint specimen from the mid 60's.

Glad I found someone with knowledge. Now I did some browsing and seems that it might be around a 65. He mentioned rosewood handle and wood stabilizers or horns if you will. I found some similar but can’t remember which catalog. I hope to look at it in the next few days. I was thinking that a vintage target bow like this one would be in the $150 range, but I didn’t want to cheat him. Thanks so much. Stay tuned.

Sounds like a 1964 model. That was the first year with horns. If it was a '65, the serial # would start with a 5. SB is right, it was made before '65. bvd

A fair price is what you are willing to pay and what he is willing to take. Even the mid 60's, which I don't think were rosewood but I could be wrong, don't sell for much over $200.00. It would have to be new or near mint to go higher. Nothing wrong with the bows of course, but the demand for them just isn't there to create a seller's market. To get to a thousand bucks it would have to be new and signed by Fred, along with a couple hundred bucks of accessories thrown in. If you go buy asking price over there, you'll drive yourself crazy. Look at completed listings (green numbers) for real prices.

Thanks again for the info guys. Without seeing it, I’m having a hard time dating it. I do think though that we are looking somewhere either side of the mid 60s which is good enough for me. As far a price, I agree with George. I’m very experienced with selling on eBay and how the sellers operate over there. I can’t find any comparables in completed listings which makes things a bit harder. The only reason that I am trying to nail it down tight is that this gentleman is elderly and selling off his bow and gun collection as his kids have no interest. He has been a lifelong friend since my college days back in the 60s. I really have no particular interest in this bow as I have several target bows but I wanted to help him out as there is no one else in our small town that would want it and I hate to see him cheated on eBay. I’m thinking no more that $150 in mint condition as I don’t think there is any interest in vintage target bows today. Seems recurve target bows are now ILF.

My mistake, the'63 model was the first to have the horns. The '63 had Bubinga in the riser aand Brazilian Rosewood caps. The '64 had African Bengal in the riser and Brazilian Rosewood caps. It also carried a Bear Custom Bristle Rest and Adjustable Nylon Arrow Plate. bvd

38lbs might not be legal to hunt with in your state. that would effect the value for some, it would me.

No sir, in my state, 40 pounds is the minimum, and this is a 66” target bow. I wouldn’t want to try to snake it through the brush or shoot it out of a blind or tree stand.

I was gonna say buster...I have a mint '63...and your description is spot on! One of my favorites!

Thread title made me smile:) JayInOz

It may be Sunday before I see the bow, but it sure has my curiosity up. I need to show you guys a picture of it I suppose to nail down the price. I’m thinking I’d really like to buy it if it’s mint as I think it is.

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