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November 19, 2006
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My uncle sent me this story this morning. I was completely immersed in it. It helped that the location is familiar me. I never lived there but had family that had a farm right in where this occurred. It was a bonus that there is a Winchester M55 in the story (and I have two M55’s). Very enjoyable read:
https://sportingclassicsdaily.com/the-legend-of-old-three-legs/
March 23, 2010
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Great story thanks for posting.From the picture ,it seems the Model 55 in question has a pistol grip.Wonder what calibre it was ,as it dies not say in the story?Most likely the good old.30 WCF.
November 19, 2006
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28 gauge said
Great story thanks for posting.From the picture ,it seems the Model 55 in question has a pistol grip.Wonder what calibre it was ,as it dies not say in the story?Most likely the good old.30 WCF.
Yes, it certainly does look like his M55 is a pistol grip version. It is probably a .30-30 but I’d like to think maybe it was a .32 Special. The hunter on the far right – I wonder if he is holding a self-loading Winchester – maybe a .401?
March 23, 2010
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Yes could be a .401.One of the three Winchester model self loading rifles that’s for sure.Fellow on the left seems to have a Model 94 rifle and the other fellow in the picture, a Model 94 carbine.
The story ,some what reminds me about a story I read many years ago ,about a bear in Alaska or Northern Canada called Old Growler.He was not a mad killer like the wolf in the story,but it was a most interesting story.
November 19, 2006
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28 gauge said
Yes could be a .401.One of the three Winchester model self loading rifles that’s for sure.Fellow on the left seems to have a Model 94 rifle and the other fellow in the picture, a Model 94 carbine.
The story ,some what reminds me about a story I read many years ago ,about a bear in Alaska or Northern Canada called Old Growler.He was not a mad killer like the wolf in the story,but it was a most interesting story.
I thought it was fun that all four hunters pictured were carrying Winchesters. Of course, the Winchester was a popular rifle
I’ve enjoyed vintage hunting stories going way back … probably about from when I learned to read. My Dad subscribed to Outdoor Life and starting as a small boy, I looked forward to that day, once a month, when it arrived. My Dad never got to it before me.
January 26, 2011
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Not to stir the pot, but I’m not so sure that’s a 55 in the picture. if so he wore off nearly all the finish in a year or two, changed to a crescent butt, and swapped to a 26″ barrel. There almost appears to be a 1/2 oct transition as well, but that’s up for debate. All this from a grainy picture so I certainly could be out in the weeds with my observations.
~Gary~
November 19, 2006
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pdog72 said
Not to stir the pot, but I’m not so sure that’s a 55 in the picture. if so he wore off nearly all the finish in a year or two, changed to a crescent butt, and swapped to a 26″ barrel. There almost appears to be a 1/2 oct transition as well, but that’s up for debate. All this from a grainy picture so I certainly could be out in the weeds with my observations.
Gary – As you suggest, there’s poor detail in the photo. Interestingly, the rifle was ultimately donated to the museum as part of the display with the wolf. I suppose it is possible he was holding a different rifle in the photo. I know when we used to take deer pictures, we liked to be holding a rifle in the photo. Sometimes, if the rifle we used wasn’t handy, we would grab any rifle close-by for the photo. Just saying there are a variety of possible explanations.
Here’s a photo from the exhibit. Unfortunately, they don’t show the rifle, but you do get to see Old Three Legs:
http://beckercountyhistory.org/exhibits/the-legend-of-old-three-legs/
January 26, 2011
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Actually, they do show the rifle, which is a 1/2 octagon, crescent butt, plain pistol grip 1894 …….. and matches the one in the other photo. Great pictures, and a great story.
~Gary~
November 19, 2006
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pdog72 said
Actually, they do show the rifle, which is a 1/2 octagon, crescent butt, plain pistol grip 1894 …….. and matches the one in the other photo. Great pictures, and a great story.
That sounds really cool! If only I could find it! Where is the picture??
January 26, 2011
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Its in the link you provided to me. The rifle is in the picture of the wolf.
~Gary~
November 19, 2006
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pdog72 said
Its in the link you provided to me. The rifle is in the picture of the wolf.
Ok, I found it. Thanks. Certainly not a Model 55. I suppose the story was simply incorrect.
March 23, 2010
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Have enjoyed following this thread.Interesting how with this thread, it has been discovered that the wolf was bagged with a Model 94 ,rather than what had been told for years ,that the wolf was bagged with a Model 55.
Interesting ,how the mother wolf killed all the pups ,except what would become old three legs and in the end of her,old three legs killed her.Makes one wonder if she did not have something wrong in her mind and passed it one to the pups.She killed all ,but one of the pups,old three legs.For some reason not killing old three legs.That he was not right in the head seems to be born out by his life style.
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