At least as far back as the1800s. Some evidence goes back another 500 yrs or so.
The item in question is actually spelled "Barska" and it is a brand of scope made for rifles. They also manufacture gun safes, sniper scopes and telescopes.
It hard to find information about this line of air guns but I know they were made by "GAMO." I found a magazine add for a new one on the web that was dated 1972
the Kentucky LongRifle
Springfield The M1903-A1 and M1903-A4 .30-06 rifles with a variety of scopes were used by most US snipers during WW 2. The Unertl 8X was the scope preferred by the USMC. the military also made limited use of M1 garand sniper rifles.
Scopes was a teacher who was accused of violating the law by teaching evolution, which was banned. There is a great play about it that was made into a movie called "Inherit the Wind".
High Country SPOTTING scopes are made by Burris. I do not find them using the High Country brand on rifle scopes.
guns
Yes, the M14 rifle was issued as a designated marksman and sniper rifle during the Vietnam War and later conflicts. The M14 was equipped with scopes and modifications to enhance accuracy at longer ranges. While it was not primarily designed as a sniper rifle, its inherent accuracy and range made it suitable for such roles, particularly in the early years of the Vietnam War before the introduction of more specialized sniper rifles like the M21.
around the 17 hundreds :) It depends on what guns you are referring to. Guns were first invented in the 1300s.
Marlin did not make scopes. They had their name put on scopes made by someone else.
Right after the first guns were made.
@ 700 years ago