Even more than 60 years later, The Rifleman is still remembered for one of television’s most powerful father-son relationships. Starring Chuck Connors as widowed rancher Lucas McCain and Johnny Crawford as his son Mark, the Western became a staple of late-1950s TV, teaching values like honesty, respect, and responsibility.
While beloved for its heart and storytelling, the series also contained behind-the-scenes quirks and historical slip-ups that eagle-eyed fans still enjoy spotting today. One famous example involves Lucas McCain’s wardrobe. In one episode, Connors is seen wearing Wrangler jeans—easily identifiable by the “W” stitching—even though the show is set in the 1880s and Wranglers weren’t produced until the 1940s.
The iconic opening sequence, where Connors rapidly fires his Winchester rifle, wasn’t camera trickery. A former professional baseball and basketball player, Connors performed the movements himself using a modified 1892 Winchester—another historical inaccuracy, since the rifle didn’t exist during the show’s timeline.
Fans may also be surprised to learn that Connors’ real-life son, Jeff Connors, appeared briefly in the episode “Tension.” Johnny Crawford’s brother Bobby Crawford also appeared on the show, and both brothers earned Emmy nominations in 1959.
Connors nearly turned down the role due to low pay, but producers eventually offered him a better deal—including partial ownership of the series—after seeing him play a father figure in Old Yeller.Despite its flaws, The Rifleman remains a timeless classic, cherished for its warmth, moral lessons, and unforgettable characters.