I am looking at maybe buying a used Grayling, Michigan Bear Takedown bow. How would you rate it, compared to other year models of the Bear Takedown bows?

I am debating on maybe buying this one, a guy is bringing it for me to look at, tomorrow. This bow has 40# limbs of the same vintage. I expect it to be in the $700 price range.

Would you prefer it over a brand new one, from Gainsville? I have been thinking about maybe trying to purchase a 2nd from the Bear Pro Shop in Gainsville in a few weeks when I am down that way if they had a 2nd on the rack.

The limbs I am not that worried about, but which would be the preferred riser?

I know the originals from the early '70's are the most sought after but I think the Green Strips are best looking of all Bears T/D's then or now. Yes I'd take it over the new ones all day long. Just curious, what color are the limbs tips?

I think I was told this was an early 70's bow. But I am not sure.

HA for some reason I had you looking at a Green Stripe, my bad.

The green stripes were Gainesville bows, made in the early 80s after the move in 78. I really like those models, you really can’t compare them with the current production, same dimensions but the grips are night and day different. Most green stripes had a thin, well refined grip and the new production is the bulkiest grip/riser I’ve seen

I think the tips were red tips, not sure. He told me it was a Michigan bow. Bear moved to Gainsville in about 78 and I know the bow was made before that.

The first Grayling-made takedowns will cost far more than $700. The Green Stripes were made in the 80s. Serial numbers below 6000 were made from futurewood. Around 6000 Bear changed to a laminated riser. If you can get one for $700 and it’s in decent shape buy it. Limbs from that time had green tips.

I have owned a few Green Stripes and really like the early ones before the laminated riser but I like the looks of the current day models more. Plus I like the grip on the new ones. If you like a slimmer grip then you my prefer a green stripe or one made prior to the 50th Anniversary model.

I guess you guys are right, according to the book. I will check it out tomorrow. I am thinking the limbs are Grayling, and the bow is Gainsville, now. He may have been mixed up, as he was looking at several bows.

I tend to agree with stick hippie. The Green stripe is sleeker and physically lighter than the risers currently being made. I like the look and feel of mine. Wouldn't trade it for a new one.

Green stripe risers were sold with green action wood tip overlays. If the limbs you're considering are red tips, they're not original to the bow. Regardless, red tips are just as good. If you can get the bow for $700, and if it's in reasonably good shape, jump on it. There's a fella asking nearly $900 for a green stripe riser on EBay right now. Doubt he'll get it. Most green stripe risers I've seen sell in the past several years have gone for $350-$550. I sold a refinished one in like new condition for $500 a while ago. Prices are trending up a bit recently.

Ok and further research shows that the Green Stripe was only made from 1988 to 1995 in the second edition of by Jorge L. Coppen, so it has to be a Gainsville riser. And I bet, its Grayling limbs.

So, yeah, it looks like I have imperfect information from the seller. I will know tomorrow.

Thanks, fellows, for helping to set me straight on it.

I have some 55lb green tip limbs FS on Facebook right now, if those red tips ones are not what you're after.

Not sure if I can mention that here. Sorry if that isn't allowed. m Message me if interested. I sold the LH riser to Tom Colstad.

I will think about those 55lb limbs. I am currently shooting low to mid 40's and sometimes my 50lb Super Grizzly but I don't know, 55 may be too heavy for me. It's literally a pain, getting older. 60 lbs used to be my go-to bow weight but I am afraid that time may have passed.

The Green Stripe was made in the early 80s. I bought one new in 1984 from Smokey Wagner in Oil City, PA. I’ve owned others from that timeframe. Serial numbers at that time were around the 5000s.

the one I have pictured is ss B2481 not sure if it was an earlier make or not. Yes the grips were nice and slender, the shelf laid up right on top of your hand. Brandon Stahl made some very nice limbs for those T/D's.

The chances of finding 40 lb. green tip limbs are very slim. In the past 35 years I have seen few that were below 50#. They are out there, but scarce.

I haven't visited Rich Lopez's web site, Droptine Traditions in a number of years but there used to be a registree for Green Stripe riser serial numbers with known production dates. If it is still there it is a good reference for dating those risers.

I spent over a year searching for 45# green tip limbs for my riser. I ended up buying another bow from Jorge Coppen with the 45# limbs on it and sold the riser. Yes, there’s a few out there, but have only heard of a few guys who actually have a set. Either way, the green stripe bows are awesome. Mine will never leave my possession.

Chuck

I had a green stripe model I bought from Bear in either late 82 or early 83. I can't remember the serial number but pretty sure it was in the 1800's. At the time Bear would sell blems to dealers and this was one, although I never figured out what the blem was. I had it for years and even had Fred sign it, but ended up trading it to a fellow from DC for a Border Black Douglas back in the mid 80's. Henry Fulmer was our Bear rep at the time.

I have one 4243 50 lbs limbs,I was told it was 82/83.

Pics of it didn’t happen

The Green Stripe was introduced in 1982 along the Signature model. The early green tip limbs were better shooter than the later ones when they became more squared. The firsts were decent shooters but the latest were really dogs, maybe the worst that ever left the factory

I bought two green stripe T/D’s from Woolworth’s of Woolco’s(can’t remember which one) for 199.00 each. I’m pretty positive it was 1980, but it could have been 1981.

I have hunting photos of me carrying it in September’82, in Montana.

I have two b-2774 and b-4399

Pics just for Babysaph! Lol

Lower weight green tips are hard to find. Mine were 60#.

Truthfully I’d much rather have a new set of limbs on any riser.

Ok, I did buy it, today. I only have about $600 in it. I actually found a picture of it in the book, that looks just like it. It's from the early half of the 80's, but the limbs are Grayling made and they are 41 pounds on a B riser and 62" long. They are not green tip, but black with white tip limbs.

This is in the years when the riser does not have the compass. It has the slim grip and the shelf puts the arrow right down on the hand. I like that and I found it easy to shoot.

I can't find any markings, serial number, etc. on the riser. Is it possibly hidden under the side plate?

I have a LH Gainesville green stripe with #1 green tips 65 lb limbs . I paid $ 600 for about 15 years ago . That included the limbs. The throat of the grip is narrow . The Bear coin is silver and raised .

Shot a wild boar with it .

It has a couple of holes in it on the side of tbe riser from what I believe were for some kind of non BEAR sight. Years ago was Thinking of putting some stirling silver type artwork in the holes . Spoke with a jeweler who said he could make me a custom design for very reasonable price . Figured it would look better than trying to fill the small holes with filler.

I think from my experience , each BEAR riser is not exactly like another of the same year. If you can try it before you buy it , I certainly would . That said I have been lucky and all of mine are comfortable.

Yesterday on eBay a early model green stripe riser alone sold for 530.00+35.00 shipping.WOW!

Those are nice

Lastmohecken, it seems somebody refinished your bow. The writing on the riser would be just below the grip area.

Is the green stripe aa very bright green? None of the green stripes had a compass. Can you post a photo?

Lenny, that one on eBay was, to me, way overpriced. Someone added a hole for a Berger button that didn’t look to be done well.

Phil I agree .

Phil, Here's the pictures

That’s a nice one. Definitely in the 82-85 timeframe.

I just realized that the color of the glass seems to match between the bow and the limbs, but if I was to buy another set of limbs, than it would be obvious if the limbs were a different color glass?

It would. But for many years I shot one with red tip limbs. I’m more concerned with how it shoots rather than period correct.

I have 12 B risers including 2 green stripes.

You really can’t go wrong with any of them imo but I prefer the old grips.

This as the last one I owned.

I love my two 1980s factory camo green stripes. I prefer the feel of the green stripes.

I shot it some more today. I realized it needed a little tuning and checked the nock height and it was really high, probably for a 3 finger under shooter so I relocated it, to where I normally like it, and it shot much better.

Brace height is in the recommended range, but on the lower side of things, so I may raise it a little, but at any rate, I can tell it's going to be an accurate bow that shoots right on for me.

Boker, With 12 B risers, you must be really committed to the Bear Takedown bow, and the B riser. I will say that Fred Bear really was ahead of his time, when he developed that bow.

Lastmohecken

( Boker, With 12 B risers, you must be really committed to the Bear Takedown bow, and the B riser. I will say that Fred Bear really was ahead of his time, when he developed that bow )

Didn’t set out to collect them but decided I needed to stick with one style of bow to ever be consistent. As a bow junkie I got to where I am today. All mine are hunter grade.

I haven’t shot nearly as many bow styles as some but from my experience the Bear TD even with current bear archery faults is still hard for the average guy like myself to improve on.

With that said and back to the original post, don’t over look the vintage mag riser, with its changeable grips, it may be the best of them all.

Fred Bear obviously knew what he was doing.

here are my 2 green stripes,

Enjoy Your Greenstripe...They are Great Companions...4finger

...4finger

"Fred" & I have been on many memorable adventures together...Pack Your Brain Full of them :)...4finger

2 signed Greenstripes.

You fellows have posted some fine looking bows. I regret that I never got to meet Fred Bear. I visited Gainsville the first time in 79, to see my brother in law and family who worked for Bear Archery from about 78 on for at least 25 years or more.

I remember they offered to take me to meet him at that time, and I had just killed my first deer with a Bear Compound, not long before that, but it seems there was something that kept me from doing that, on that trip.

Zepnut, I am curious about the origins of your takedown bow case. My sister-in-law gave me a couple of those that looked pretty much identical to that one, except they were not lined with felt, yet.

Fred Bear gave them to her, and why he did, I have no idea. And she eventually gave them to me. Unfortunately, I didn't do anything with them and eventually let them get away from me. I wish I had kept one of them.

If my memory serves me right I believe 3 Rivers sold them at one time.

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