Model 939 Harrington and Richardson revolver similar to the one used by Chuck Jonkel to kill 500 lb Grizzly bear in self defense in Montana in 1963.
Image courtesy of Rock Island Auctions, with permission.
Posted on 02/08/2023 3:38:59 AM PST by marktwain
In the research done by this correspondent and colleagues, much credit must be given to those who sent detailed information about bear attacks and pistol defenses.
As incidents of defense against bears with pistols mounted, some did not have enough information to be considered documented. One of those was mentioned by Warden Louis Kis in “More Alaskan Bear Tales” by Larry Kaniut on page 276. In previous articles, it was mentioned as an incident requiring more information. Readers were asked to provide information. The information was presented thus:
Early 1960s, North Fork of the the Flathead river in Montana, .22 H&R 9 shot revolver, grizzly bear.
The worker approached a bear in a black bear snare. The bear charged the worker, who shot it with the .22 revolver. The bear died, but it took some time to do so, as told by game warden Louis Kis. p. 276, More Bear Tales
There was no name of the person who did the shooting, no date, and no specific location.
Allen Schallenberger is a long-time Montana resident. He was a helper of Chuck Jonkel in 1963. Jonkel had killed the grizzly bear the previous year, in 1962. Chuck told Allen about the incident and allowed Allen to shoot the H&R revolver he had used to kill the grizzly. The incident was well known in Montana Fish & Game, which is how Lois Kis heard about it decades later.
“It is not surprising that Kis got most of the story correct but did not have all the details and got one or two things wrong. Allen continued with Fish & Game and did significant grizzly bear research in Montana. Here are excerpts from the letter by Allen Schallenberger:
(Excerpt) Read more at ammoland.com ...
The .22 is more potent than most people expect.
Model 939 Harrington and Richardson revolver similar to the one used by Chuck Jonkel to kill 500 lb Grizzly bear in self defense in Montana in 1963.
Image courtesy of Rock Island Auctions, with permission.
I’m reality if you pull a gun on someone, they’re gonna stop what they’re doing. No time to determine whether it’ll blow a hole through you or just go into you.
Indian lady in early 1900s did it with a single shot 22. Right in the eye as it charged. Lucky lady heh. That thing was massive. There’s a black and white photo somewhere of it.
Your memory is close, but some of the details are a little different.
The link above has the story and images.
It was 1953 her name was Belle Twain.
Here is the story
Great minds think alike.
I own one of these pistols, have had it for about 40 years.
I saw that one, I’m sure the one I’m thinking about was early 1900s. I was trying to google it up, but haven’t found it yet. I saw it in a book many years ago.
Insert humans and the dynamics don't change.
Just the will to use the quill.
I think 9 rounds of 40 gr. .22 delivered quickly in more or less the same target area would not be very different from a single round 12ga 000 buck. It’s still a way too small a gun for my first choice but I can see how, with lots of luck, it could work.
22? Good enough for Murder Inc., good enough for me.
I have owned two H&R pistols(One 22lr.One 32H&R Mag.). Let’s just say I would hate for my life to depend on either of them.
https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/150-years/sd-me-150-years-february-11-htmlstory.html
My grandfather had one like this..........
Certainly not what I would choose, if given a choice. That said, the .22 caliber is fully capable of killing the majority of mammals. That was all we ever used to kill pigs and steers, pigs generally were shot in an ear and the steers between the eyes. All dropped like the proverbial sack of potatoes.
A fascinating read. What a women she was!
A world record Grizzly taken down by a diminutive woman with diminutive ammo.
The irony is amazing.
All the cards were certainly stacked in her favor.
What an amazing woman!
The .22 Firearm has definitely shown itself as a mainstay in
American Shooting Sports and Defense.
I’ve got a 1906 with the octagon barrel. Fun little gun, but only shoot shorts in it.
LR’s would probably ruin it.....................
Not the gun I would ant to rely on in bear country. I’ll take a .460 S&W Magnum, thank you very much. https://shwat.com/wp-content/uploads/converted_files/811/460-ammo.jpg
To the head, maybe. A bear’s underfur is hell on buckshot.
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