Legend has it that Chuck Connors' brief yet memorable appearance as Burn Sanderson, a Texas rancher with a heart of gold, in the 1957 Disney classic "Old Yeller" led to him earning the starring role in ABC's "The Rifleman", set to premiere the following year. His endearing performance as Sanderson impressed the producers of "The Rifleman" to the point that they handed him the role over 40-50 other well qualified actors, in addition to paying his full freight and giving him a small ownership stake in the show. "The Rifleman" premiered in 1958, and ran for 5 seasons until 1963. It was a huge hit, with Connors starring as Union Civil War veteran, widower, and New Mexico territory rancher Lucas McCain. He wielded a Winchester Model 92 rifle with ease, and imparted valuable moral lessons to his son along the way. Connors had led a remarkable life even before his success on the silver screen, having served as a stateside tank warfare instructor during WW2, and then becoming one of only 13 men to ever play both professional basketball in the NBA, for the Boston Celtics no less, and professional baseball in the MLB, for the equally iconic Brooklyn Dodgers. He starred in the movie "Geronimo!" in 1962, and in the television series “Branded” from 1965 to 1966; not exactly a lightweight. Those memorable roles solidified his status as a well respected Western actor in the "cowboy craze" of the post-WW2, baby boom era. Connors is remembered for his steely gaze, lantern jaw, stentorian voice, imposing physical stature, and overall screen presence. This Vintage 1960s Chuck Connors Movie & TV Star Owned Film Prop Buckskin Leather Vest is in Very Good Condition, with a thin rectangular area of whitish soiling at the left chest where something appears to have once been attached by adhesive, and with some scattered scratching, darkening, and age wear evident. Otherwise, the vest is in fine shape, with absolutely no rips, holes, tears, or other damage to the tough brown buckskin leather construction, with the tanned portion on the interior, and the exterior being the “roughout” side. Most interestingly, it boasts the original “WESTERN COSTUME CO. / HOLLYWOOD CALIF.” rectangular white stamp at the inside neck (along with the number “22”), denoting this vest was a film prop, sports three matching “roughout” leather knots at each side of the front placket with closure ties (there are no button holes, the placket would’ve been tied together, but this vest was almost certainly intended to be worn open over a Western shirt for the movie or TV show), and measures 22 3/4” from underarm to underarm across the chest in its natural, untied state. Now to the provenance of this piece, which comes directly from the personal collection of noted gun writer Rick Hacker. Mr. Hacker relates that he was a close friend of Chuck Connors, especially as the latter entered his twilight years. When Chuck Connors passed away in 1992, Mr. Hacker was asked to come to Connors’ Tehachapi ranch home, and was given numerous pieces that Rose Mary Grumley, the executor of Connors' estate, said “Chuck wanted him to have”. This buckskin vest was among those items. It has resided in Rick Hacker’s personal collection until now, and a signed letter of authenticity from Mr. Hacker will accompany this piece. A fine example of a very rare, original Vintage 1960s Chuck Connors Movie & TV Star Owned Film Prop Buckskin Leather Vest.