Over on the bay, I saw a Bear "Tamerlane" bow. I've never seen or heard of one of these. Anybody know what they're about? It's a very unusual design, at least to me, highly angled. Very different, but still a Bear.

They were a target bow

DaGunz, it was a "common" target bow of the 60's....Bear's number one offering prior to the takedown. They are superb shooters and the collectors love them. They were made from 1963 through 1968. Some of them are very beautiful, especially those prior to the use of micarta.

By the way, "Tamerlane".....was named after the conqueror Timur. Fred was a student of old archery, thus the names Tamerlane, Tartar, Temujin.

"Timur (from the Perso-Arabic form ????? T?m?r, ultimately from Chagatai (Middle Turkic) Temür "iron"; 8 April 1336 – 18 February 1405), also known as Tamerlane (from T?m?r-e Lang "Timur the Lame"), was a 14th-century conqueror of much of western and central Asia, and founder of the Timurid Empire and Timurid dynasty (1370–1405) in Central Asia, which survived until 1857 as the Mughal Empire of India."

A VERY sweet shooting target bow. There were a few made in hunting weights.

I think the Bow he is referring to is a "prototype" Tamerlane that is only 60 inchs long; I've never saw one built like the one now on Ebay. Everyone needs to get a photo copy of this one.

that's a pretty one isn't it, oldbow? i was looking at/drooling over it last night. in a hunting weight no less... pondscum

yeah,, I'v looked at a lot of Tamerlanes , none like that one. very interesting

Everyone needs to look at the photo; the bow looks way cool. I'm not sure of the legalities of copying a photo from a sale site and reposting it elsewhere, so I haven't do it. Thanks all.

Everyone needs to look at the photo; the bow looks way cool. I'm not sure of the legalities of copying a photo from a sale site and reposting it elsewhere, so I haven't done it. Thanks all.

My Tamerlane was 69" and 36#. Bear usedsome very high quality exotic woods in the massive risers,as well as phenolics. Amazingly smooth on the draw and ZERO handshock. Even without silencers with a B-50 string , there was just a "whoosh" and the arrow was gone. Deadly accurate. Prime examples go for big dollars. My buddy uses his HC300 for 3-D shoots.

Here is one I have.. Only if I was LH.. 38#

nice bow cody.

chris.

should be intresting see what that bow goes for.. im sure wade will be on it if it is indeed as rare as it sounds for his collection and he is known to pay top $$

chris.

It was display bow given the mention of the three holes. I'm surprised its as high $ as it is now. I wonder if its even shootable. Most were. A fool and his $.

I owned one in the 60s and I believe it was a '67 or '68. Beautiful bow and I shot competitive field archery with it.

Just so you know, Bear also made a Tamerlane compound, also a target bow. It looked a lot like an Alaskan compound, but was far sweeter to shoot, the breakdown wasn't as sudden as the Alaskan, which was itself pretty smooth.

Didn't want someone to buy one off Craig's List or a trading paper sight-unseen and think they were getting the recurve.

They are very rare, it's not like it's a Grizzly 8^). No fool there, probably needs it for collection....and the value will only escalate in the coming years. Beauty.

Cody....Hang on to that one partner...I think it's a 64.

Da -

The were made through the early 70's and have several iterations. The one pictured above was one of the earlier models without a number designation. After that can the HC-30 and lastly the HC-300. A lot of us recall the HC-300 when some one says "Tamerlane".

Yes, it was Bears premier target bow, but was also available in a 63" model, and while rare, made a super hunting bow.

Here's the early 70's lineup:

Viper1 out.

Here's me on the right with a Tamerlane the first year they came out...early 60's. I was on the Central Michigan Team that year and we won first place. The first Tamerlanes didn't have the sight routed plate on the side. It was quite a futuristic design for the times.

In 1966 Bear Archery gave me an HC-300 which was similar in design to the Tamerlane. The HC-300 was black with a solid phenolic riser.

Always in my mine, that it would be the Cadillac of hunting bows to have an HC-300 up there in the hunting draw weight but never found one through all of the years I was gathering up Old Bows.

I've got the Bear Tamerlane, 1966 model in a 45# pounder, you know it might get to go to the woods and get broke in the right way now.

I have a Tamerlane and and a HC300, both are 34@28 72" amo. The regular Tamerlane was molested, someone cut the lower 3 inches past center, it now has a bear weather rest.( I found it on Craigslist for $85.00 last month) Both are a pleasure to shoot and I shoot them regularly. Both are fast, dead in the hand and draw very smoothly, yet the regular Tamerlane seems to stack more at my 32" draw. I would love to find one in the low 40's to hunt with.

Here's mine. 1963 first year model.

Here is mine in 1970 Md State Championships I believe.

Here's some other nice bows on this rack from the state shoot in 1970. Mine is on the end.

Here's a pic of my molested 72".

Here is mine. Bought new in 1970.

RC -

That's not a Tamerlane, it's a "C" riser T/D, (Forgot the model name, Victor something...) Basically the same as an HC-300. with the latch T/D system added. Nice bow, btw ;)

Viper out.

I have a beautiful Bear Tamerlane built in 1966. It is 35# @ 28" and is 66" long. The riser is rosewood combined with phenolic resin material. It looks so good I would never think of selling it. John

Here's a Tamerlane HC300 69" 30lb. I got it at a garage sale along with an arrow box with a dozen 24SRT-X 1816 arrows, an extra rest, chest protector, tab, hip quiver, and a stabilizer for $100. The bow is 97% perfect condition. Did I pay too much? :)

Here's a Tamerlane HC300 69" 30lb. I got it at a garage sale along with an arrow box with a dozen 24SRT-X 1816 arrows, an extra rest, chest protector, tab, hip quiver, and a stabilizer for $100. The bow is 97% perfect condition. Did I pay too much? :)

Justin Hunt, the people who sold you that bow probably thought that they found a sucker since to them is wasn't worth anything. I'll bet you couldn't wipe the smile off of your face on the way home though, could you? Oh there's nothing more fun than finding those OLD Bows for a bargain, my wife says I have the happiest look on my face when I come out of a Pawn Shop carrying an "OLD BOW". She took me to a yard sale, had to drag me along and kept telling me that we might find a bow if I went, I thought it was a waste of time but went along anyway and what did she find but a 1964 Bear Kodiak for ten dollars and you could tell by the look on the guys face that he thought he had pulled a good one on us selling us that worthless OLD BOW.

that is one thing.. a lot of them think that old wood bow.. cause they think of compounds being the norm for modern. heh i would of paid 100.00 for that bow :)

chris.

Need to sand down that white paint and cover with a drab green or brown for hunting! I have two old 66" Bear heavyweight recurves, one marked 45# and one 44#. One is an Alaskan, the other a Bearcat. They both shoot terribly well. I think it's the excessive length and weight that make them so repeatably accurate and easy to shoot with so little hand shock.

At the time I bought it, I was not know what a Tamerlane was. All I knew was that is was old, a Bear bow, and like new. Like jipp said, most people these days think a bow is worthless if it's made of wood.

Just started shooting traditional archery this year. I've picked up a few bows here and there. Anyway my question is this. According to some of the posts here the Tamerlane started production in 1963. However one of the bows i acquired this summer is a Tamerlane HC-300 in very nice condition but it is marked with an FB 1962 AMO 69" 33#. It came with original soft case, stabilizer with extra weight and case. Being fairly new to recurves and long bows. Can anyone she'd more light on this? What do I have for sure? What is it worth?

The HC 300 followed the HC 30 and was introduced about 1968. I believe they were discontinued in 1972 and were one of the premier target bows of the era. Most are lightweight (under 40#), but these days many folks are looking for the shorter Tamerlane in hunting weights.

Asking values for the common Tamerlanes are all over the place from a reasonable $250 to a silly $800.

Down the list you will see the Tamerlane and their dates. I think HC stood for Hi-Compression, but that was a guess on my part. I have seen later HC bows that were all wood risers.

Wood Handle Take-Down 1969-1972

Wood C-Riser Victor Custom 1973-1975

Magnesium Handle Take-Down A-B-C 1971-1978

Kodiak Static Recurve 1950-1953

Kodiak Recurve 1954-1966

Super Kodiak 1967-1976

Grizzly Static Recurve 1949-1957

Grizzly Recurve 1958-1978

Super Magnum 48 1966-1976

Kodiak Magnum 52" 1961-1977

Kodiak Hunter 58" and 60" 1967-1977

Tamerlane 1962-1968

Tamerlane HC-30 1965-1967

Tamerlane HC-300 1968-1972

Here's mine . . . a takedown version made from an HC-300.

A better pic . . .

And one more . . .

justin hunt, I've had fantasies of what you pulled off in real life. I sit around and think there must be hundreds of Tamerlanes sitting around in closets or under the bed just gathering dust. Makes tears come to the eyes. Good on you !

Just picked up a Bear Tamerlane hc 300 yesterday. 63" 34# @ 28" Glad I found this thread now I know what I have. Thanks guys

The 63" is a unique one; not necessarily rare but you sure don't see them too often. I had one a few years ago at 38#. They are awesome bows perfect for hunting or field.

They made an outstanding hunting bow, I had a friend who owned 2 of them in 1966 both were 50#. My own was only 34# I used for target.

I have a new 70" 35 pound. They are terrific target bows but I hate to shoot this one,still undecided.>>>----> Ken

Okay Ken. Why do you hate to shoot it? Yessir, it's new and you can probably get a good penny, but you probably won't sell it anyhoo. ;) Put a pair of silk gloves on, and shoot a few arrows just for the halibut. C'mon....do it. )))))))))))

George you know me so well. I can't decide to sell or shoot it. The bear string is still in the vial taped to the bow. I have gone so far as to make a string (B55) for it. The silk gloves are a good idea. 8^) What about the arrow pass? The plunger is not even screwed in. You are right about hating to part with bows too. Too many good memories but I do need to get rid of every thing 45 pounds and over. Just can't bring myself to advertise. I did let my Brackenbury go to a friend today,and GF has my Viper. Only 3 dozen or so left.8^) >>>----> Ken

I have several fron 63 to 70. Love them for target work.

Best Recurve ever made in my opinion.

Interesting to see an 09' thread the target bows were overlooked by collectors but are quite popular now especially as people shoot low weight bows it seems.Nice woods pretty bows

Ralph, the Tamerlanes were the best of the best sort of thing for target shooters when they came out in 1963. Until then, there were only a few massive risered target bows. Bear's Tamerlane had pleasing curves and they used really fine grained dark colored Brazillian rosewood when they first came out. It's sculptured and sleek lines and lots of overlays gave them plenty of bling.

The Tamerlanes turned some heads at the field archery ranges as I can say from experience 'cause I was the first person in my part of the country to own one the first year they were made. In fact they had such memorable designs that my older brother, who is 80, still remembers mine and he knew nothing about archery.

Excellent shooting bows, my 32lb one could send target arrows to the long field targets with no problem and as flat as a hunting bow I owned. Wouldn't say they were the best of their time for shooting and remember many champions shooting Hoyts, Black Widows and saw a lot of Damon Howatts and Wings shot at tournaments then too. But everyone liked their looks and still do.

Got rid of mine thinking 32lb was too light and outdated and traded it for a take down bow that was supposed to be the best of the best in the early seventies. Funny, that Tamerlane held up its interest, the fancy takedown faded quickly. Now the 1963's are real hard to find or those that own them are not turning them loose. The 1963's are the best looking ones in regard to Bear using fine grained rosewood and they did not have the sight bar distracting their looks, which made them even better.

The historians also say 1962 was the first year for Tamrlanes, and they did advertise them in the fall of 1962 as that December is when I ordered mine, and they did not show up at dealers until 1963.

Can they be dated by the serial number? >>>----> Ken

I was wondering the same thing Ken. I think I have mine narrowed down to a 68 to 70 it has a flush mount brass medallion and from what I've found that's the years that Bear did that. I'd really like to know for sure though.

From 1965-69 the serial number wil begin with the year. Example: 1965 bows start with a 5.

Beginning in 1970 the serial numbers started with a K.

The 1963-64 bows had serial numbers that started with random numbers, but they're easy to identify because of their unique design.

Serial numbers for many Grayling Bear bows aren't much help. Two rules do pertain, however: Bows made between 1965 and 1969 had serial numbers beginning with the last digit of the model year. for example a serial number 6U4512 indicates that the bow was made in 1966. Beginning in 1970, serial numbers began with the letter K.

Coin info: Copper 1959 Aluminum 1960-61 Pewter 1962 Brass 1963 to 1970 Nickel silver 1971 1972

Above info from Traditonal Bowhunter Apr/may 2004

My wife’s Tamerlane. Shoots very very well.

Thanks Jon, Going by the coin and the K it is a 1970 model. Man the coin looks like gold it is so bright. I wonder how I can keep it that way? >>>----> Ken

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