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.