Ep 8. Lost Rifle

Marshal Matt Dillon and his deputy, Festus Haggen, are on the hunt for a missing rifle in the town of Dodge City. In season 4, episode 8 of Gunsmoke, "Lost Rifle," tensions are high as they search for the mysteriously missing weapon.

The rifle in question belonged to a local farmer, Lute Bone, who reported it stolen after discovering it missing from his barn. Bone suspects his neighbor, a shady character named Carl Ryker, of stealing the gun and sets out to confront him. But before he can, Ryker turns up dead, and Bone is left as the prime suspect.

Matt and Festus are called in to investigate the murder and missing rifle, and quickly discover that Bone's rifle is not the only one missing from Dodge City. As they dig deeper, they uncover a web of secrets and lies, revealing a larger plot at play.

Meanwhile, tensions in town continue to rise as Bone becomes increasingly desperate to clear his name. His wife fears for his safety, and a lynch mob threatens to take justice into their own hands.

As the investigation unfolds, Matt and Festus must navigate the perspectives and motivations of the townspeople, while racing against the clock to find the missing rifles and catch the true culprit behind the murder.

With classic western showdowns and unpredictable twists, "Lost Rifle" keeps viewers on the edge of their seats until the very end. Through it all, Gunsmoke's timeless themes of justice, betrayal, and the value of human life shine through.