26 Men is a syndicated American Western television series about the Arizona Rangers, a law-enforcement group limited to 26 active members.^[1] By March 1958, the program was carried on 158 stations in the United States.^[2] The program was also broadcast on ATN-7 in Australia^[3] and on ZBM-TV in Bermuda.^[4]

The series is set in the Arizona Territory in the first decade of the 20th century.^[3] The rangers were part of the group established by the Arizona Territorial Legislature in 1901.^[1] The number of members was limited to 26 "to avoid vigilantism".^[5] Information from government archives and newspapers provided the basis of the plots of episodes.^[6]

A review in the trade publication Variety said that the premiere episode had "clean action and plot situations", making it different from the era's trend toward adult westerns.^[7] It commended the work of Tris Coffin and Kelo Henderson and the pacing of the direction but noted that production values appeared weaker than those of Western programs on networks.^[7]

Russell Hayden was the producer^[8] of the ABC Film Syndication series. Reg Browne was the director, Sloane Nibley was the writer, and Oliver Drake was the adapter.^[9] The theme song was written by Hal Hopper.^[5]

Facilities of Cudia City Studios, in Phoenix, Arizona, were expanded to handle filming of 26 Men.^[6] When the series filmed on location, local residents often filled some roles in the cast.^[5] It was "reportedly the first TV series ever to be filmed completely in Arizona."^[10]