Death Hunt is a 1981 action film loosely based on the actual 1932 manhunt for Albert Johnson ("Mad Trapper of Rat River") conducted by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in the Yukon. Unlike the fictionalized character portrayed by Charles Bronson the real Albert Johnson was killed by the Mounties on February 17, 1932. Additionally the movie has a much higher body-count. In the actual event Johnson shot and killed RCMP constable Edgar Millen (portrayed by Lee Marvin and whom never gets a scratch in the movie) and wounded two other constables (both of whom recovered from their wounds). The movie was filmed in March and April of 1980 in Canada and New Mexico.
The following weapons were used in the film Death Hunt:
A Colt Single Action Army with a 5.5-inch barrel is used by Albert Johnson (Charles Bronson) during the fight at the cabin. In real life, Johnson did not use any handguns.
Error creating thumbnail: File missingColt Single Action Army w/ 5.5" barrel known as the "Artillery" model.Johnson fires his Colt.Johnson aims his Colt.
A Krag-Jørgensen is used by Sgt Edgar Millen (Lee Marvin). It is a Norwegian Krag in 6.5x55mm, as noted by the bulge on the loading gate door.
Error creating thumbnail: File missingKrag-Jorgensen carbine - 6.5x55mmMillen gets ready to aim his Krag. You can note the distinctive loading gate bulging from the side.Error creating thumbnail: File missingMillen aims his Krag. Note the "hump" on the magazine loading gate. Millen's Krag appears to be a Norwegian model in 6.5x55mm.Millen aims his Krag. You can see the hump on the gate here too.Millen fires his Krag.
Savage 99F
A Savage 99 is used by Albert Johnson (Charles Bronson). It should be noted that, while the movie is greatly fictionalized, as are the weapons used, Albert Johnson's primary rifle in real life was a Savage 99. Therefore, this is a very accurate inclusion to the film. In real life, Johnson's Savage was a 99F, or "featherweight", model in a takedown configuration, chambered in .30-30 Winchester. Johnson's rifle was an early model with a straight lever loop, the one in the film appears to be a later model with a rounded lever loop (probably also chambered in .300 Savage), but props to the filmmakers for at least getting the design right.
Lee Enfield "Sporter" versions are used by Sundog/George Washington Lincoln Brown (Carl Weathers) and Hazel (Ed Lauter). Being a commonwealth territory, these guns are very popular in Canada.
A Winchester Model 1912 is used by Albert Johnson (Charles Bronson) after the log cabin gets blown up. In real life, Johnson used a sawn-off .22 LR Winchester Model 58 rifle, not a pump-action shotgun. The Model 1912 is also used by Sgt. Edgar Millen (Lee Marvin).
Albert Johnson (Charles Bronson) cuts down a 12 Gauge Single Shot Shotgun after he learns about the posse on its way to arrest him. He uses it during the fight at the cabin. In real life, Johnson's shotgun was a much, much shorter Iver-Johnson "Champion" in 16 gauge.
Error creating thumbnail: File missingIver Johnson "Champion" single-shot shotgun - .410 gauge. This is the same shotgun that Johnson used in real life, albeit in full-length and a smaller caliber.Johnson aims his shotgun. Note that the handguard has been retained. In real life, Johnson removed the handguard and cut the barrel down much farther, so it was only a few inches long. This was presumably done to make it easier to conceal.Error creating thumbnail: File missingJohnson loads his shotgun. Note how the stock has been kept at its full length. In real life, Johnson completely removed the stock with only some of the receiver to grab onto.
Error creating thumbnail: File missingVickers .50 machine gun - Essentially the Mk1 but chambered in .50 BMG. Mounted on Armored Vehicles and used as Navy AA until supplemented by the Besa and Oerlikon 20mm Cannon - 12.7x81mmThe Vickers .50 BMG can be seen mounted on the Royal Canadian Air Force biplane.
