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?

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.

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/

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??

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.