Rifle scopes were invented back between 1835 and 1840. Rifle scopes were meant to give the shooter a more accurate way of hitting the target at longer ranges. Early rifle scopes resembled long, thin tubes often almost as long as the rifle barrel. And early scopes had some problems. Small objective lenses did not allow good visibility in low light. Narrow scopes made for reduced field of view at a distance – like looking through a knot hole. Fogging of lenses due to moisture was common. Some early scopes had no “crosshairs” so aiming was still more skill than science.

With the advent of the American Civil War, rifle scopes demonstrated their ability to hit targets at extended ranges. By 1855 the original scope invented by Morgan James of Utica, NY had been tinkered with by John Chapman and resulted in the Chapman-James scope. Meanwhile, W. Malcolm of Syracuse , NY had improved on the original scope by adding achromatic lenses (telescope type) and windage and elevation adjustments.

Scopes had improved to a point where L. M. Amidon (from Vermont) made a scope that became the standard during the American Civil War.