Sam Buckhart

Deputy Marshal Sam Buckhart: The protagonist, an Apache Indian who saved a U.S. Cavalry officer's life. The officer's inheritance funded Sam’s private schooling and Harvard education before he returned west to enforce the law.

Tess Wilkins: An 8-year-old orphan whose life was saved by Sam; she is the only other continuing character who appears in numerous episodes.

Marshal Andy Morrison: Sam's superior officer and mentor in the Marshal's office.

Martha Commager: The operator of the boarding house where Sam lives.

Deputy Billy Lordan / Deputy Nick Forbes: A fellow Deputy Marshal working in the same office.

Governor Lew Wallace: Historical territorial governor of New Mexico who occasionally appears to assign duties or interact with the Marshals.

The character of Native American Deputy U.S. Marshal Sam Buckhart was introduced in two episodes ("The Indian" and "The Raid") of the popular ABC Western television series The Rifleman starring Chuck Connors. As with The Rifleman, this series was produced by Four Star Productions in association with Levy-Gardner-Laven Productions.

Law of the Plainsman is distinctive in that it was one of the few television programs that featured a Native American as the lead character, a bold move for American network television at that time. Ansara had earlier appeared in the series Broken Arrow, having portrayed the Apache chief, Cochise. Ansara, however, was not Native American but of Syrian descent.

Sam Buckhart, an Apache Indian who saved the life of a U.S. Cavalry officer after an Indian ambush. When the officer later died, he left Sam money that was used for an education at private schools and Harvard University. After school, he returned to New Mexico, where he became a deputy marshal working for Marshal Andy Morrison. He lived in a boarding house run by Martha Commager. Other continuing characters include 8-year old Tess Logan, an orphan who had been rescued by Buckhart, and a second Deputy Marshal, Billy Lordan.

Sam Buckhart was an Apache who had saved the life of a U.S. officer. When the officer died, he left Sam money that he put towards his education.

Sam Buckhart, an Apache, rescues a Cavalry officer who later funds his Harvard education. Buckhart becomes a Deputy Marshal in New Mexico under Marshal Morrison. He boards with Martha Commager and had earlier saved orphan Tess Logan.