The Rifleman aired on ABC television from September 30, 1958 through April 8, 1963 (5 seasons, 168 episodes). It ran for a half-hour and was filmed in black-and-white.

The popular series starred Chuck Connors (1921 - 1992) as Lucas McCain and Johnny Crawford (b. 1946) who played his son.

Lucas McCain was a Civil War veteran and rancher who owned property in the state of New Mexico. He was also a widower.

Reference:

Wikipedia

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