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Scopes

The first documented development of a firearms-specific sight was in 1835 by Morgan James of Utica, N.Y. James worked with civil engineer John R. Chapman to produce the Chapman-James sight. In 1855, William Malcolm of Syracuse, N.Y. began producing the ancestor of the modern telescopic rifle sight. Malcolm incorporated achromatic lenses like those found in telescopes, adding the ability to make wind and elevation adjustments for more accurate shooting. It was Malcolm's creations and sights made by L.M. Amidon of Vermont that came into common usage during the American Civil War.

Early scopes did not return to zero after adjusting windage and elevation and were prone to fogging in rainy or snowy conditions or during altitude changes. Variable power scopes were developed in the late '40s, and it was in the '50s when reliable, long-lasting options began to emerge. By the '60s, waterproof telescopic sights came into their own, laying the groundwork for contemporary sights with high-powered optics in aircraft-grade aluminum housings.

Today, rifle scopes have been adapted for handgun use. Specially coated low-light lenses can make the dimmest targets seem as bright as day while night-vision lenses are capable of bringing even pitch-black environments into reasonably clear focus. Whether antique or contemporary, collectors often focus on scopes at auction.

Recommended Items at Auction

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Weaver Scope
May 04, 10:00 AM EDT
Weaver Scope
by Bob Stutler's Auction
Est: $0- $0
$165 Bids
Gun Scopes
May 04, 10:00 AM EDT
Gun Scopes
by Bob Stutler's Auction
Est: $0- $0
$124 Bids
Weaver Scope
May 04, 10:00 AM EDT
Weaver Scope
by Bob Stutler's Auction
Est: $0- $0
$124 Bids
KAHLES A ZF69-6X42 TELESCOPIC SIGHT in its green canvas case with a Parker
May 01, 10:00 AM BST
KAHLES A ZF69-6X42 TELESCOPIC SIGHT in its green canvas case with a Parker
by Gavin Gardiner Limited
Est: £200- £400
£3204 Bids
Bushnell Sentry II Spotting Scope
May 19, 4:00 PM MST
Bushnell Sentry II Spotting Scope
by Ace Of Estates
Est: $0- $0
$254 Bids
LYMAN ALL AMERICAN 10X PERMA CENTER SCOPE
Apr 27, 10:00 AM EDT
LYMAN ALL AMERICAN 10X PERMA CENTER SCOPE
by Appalachian Trading Post & Auction Company
Est: $10- $5,000
$703 Bids
Winchester Gun Scope B5
May 17, 9:00 AM EDT
Winchester Gun Scope B5
by Dinkys Auction Center
Est: $0- $0
$202 Bids
JOHN RIGBY & CO. A PERIOD TELESCOPIC SIGHT with quick detachable see-throug
May 01, 10:00 AM BST
JOHN RIGBY & CO. A PERIOD TELESCOPIC SIGHT with quick detachable see-throug
by Gavin Gardiner Limited
Est: £200- £400
£2001 Bid
Winchester Style "B" Power 5 Mount 2 Scope in original box, 14-1/4" overall length
May 16, 4:30 PM EDT
Winchester Style "B" Power 5 Mount 2 Scope in original box, 14-1/4" overall length
by Dinkys Auction Center
Est: $0- $0
$51 Bid
Weaver Scope
May 04, 10:00 AM EDT
Weaver Scope
by Bob Stutler's Auction
Est: $0- $0
$41 Bid
Redfield Five Star 4x-12x Rifle Scope
May 19, 4:00 PM MST
Redfield Five Star 4x-12x Rifle Scope
by Ace Of Estates
Est: $0- $0
$51 Bid
Tasco 6-24x44 Rifle Scope TS624x44DS
May 19, 4:00 PM MST
Tasco 6-24x44 Rifle Scope TS624x44DS
by Ace Of Estates
Est: $0- $0
$51 Bid
Monstrum Offset Cantilever Dual Ring Scope Mount ZR254-B in Box
May 19, 4:00 PM MST
Monstrum Offset Cantilever Dual Ring Scope Mount ZR254-B in Box
by Ace Of Estates
Est: $0- $0
$51 Bid
AS-IS Redfield 3x-5x 5-Star Rifle Scope
May 19, 4:00 PM MST
AS-IS Redfield 3x-5x 5-Star Rifle Scope
by Ace Of Estates
Est: $0- $0
$51 Bid
Nikon P-223 Rifle Scope 3x 32mm BDC Carbine Reticle Matte
May 19, 4:00 PM MST
Nikon P-223 Rifle Scope 3x 32mm BDC Carbine Reticle Matte
by Ace Of Estates
Est: $0- $0
$51 Bid
A commercial Zeiss Zielvier scope
May 15, 9:00 AM CEST
A commercial Zeiss Zielvier scope
by Hermann Historica GmbH
Est: €0- €0
€2401 Bid
HERTEL & REUSS A 4X36-L81 MACRO-ZIEL SNIPER'S TELESCOPIC SIGHT complete wit
May 01, 10:00 AM BST
HERTEL & REUSS A 4X36-L81 MACRO-ZIEL SNIPER'S TELESCOPIC SIGHT complete wit
by Gavin Gardiner Limited
Est: £150- £250
£1400 Bids
ELTRO GMBH UCO A TYP B8V IMAGE INTENSIFYING OPTICAL SIGHT together with an
May 01, 10:00 AM BST
ELTRO GMBH UCO A TYP B8V IMAGE INTENSIFYING OPTICAL SIGHT together with an
by Gavin Gardiner Limited
Est: £150- £250
£1400 Bids
Binoculars DF 7x50H in case, Code "blc" (C. Zeiss, Jena), 1942
May 10, 10:00 AM CEST
Binoculars DF 7x50H in case, Code "blc" (C. Zeiss, Jena), 1942
by Hermann Historica GmbH
Est: €0- €0
€1,0000 Bids
ALDIS BROTHERS A TELESCOPIC SIGHT FOR A GEORGE GIBBS SPORTING RIFLE, NO. B6
May 01, 10:00 AM BST
ALDIS BROTHERS A TELESCOPIC SIGHT FOR A GEORGE GIBBS SPORTING RIFLE, NO. B6
by Gavin Gardiner Limited
Est: £200- £400
£2000 Bids
LEUPOLD A EUROPEAN-30 3-9X50MM TELESCOPIC SIGHT
May 01, 10:00 AM BST
LEUPOLD A EUROPEAN-30 3-9X50MM TELESCOPIC SIGHT
by Gavin Gardiner Limited
Est: £150- £250
£1400 Bids
GERARD A PERIOD TELESCOPIC SIGHT with claw mounts, in its scope tube; toget
May 01, 10:00 AM BST
GERARD A PERIOD TELESCOPIC SIGHT with claw mounts, in its scope tube; toget
by Gavin Gardiner Limited
Est: £200- £400
£2000 Bids
W. J. JEFFERY & CO. A PATENT TELESCOPIC SIGHT the tube engraved ''Patented
May 01, 10:00 AM BST
W. J. JEFFERY & CO. A PATENT TELESCOPIC SIGHT the tube engraved ''Patented
by Gavin Gardiner Limited
Est: £150- £250
£1400 Bids
Scope 41 with mounting, in sand-colored box
May 15, 9:00 AM CEST
Scope 41 with mounting, in sand-colored box
by Hermann Historica GmbH
Est: €0- €0
€4800 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Scopes


Gavin Gardiner Limited

Gavin Gardiner Limited

Bob Stutler's Auction

Bob Stutler's Auction

Hermann Historica GmbH

Hermann Historica GmbH