Picatinny Rail Scope
Featured Picatinny Rail Scope For Sale:
 EGW Savage Mark II Picatinny Rail Scope Mount 0 MOA 41500 US $42.99 
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 Evolution Gun Works Winchester 52 Target Picatinny Rail Scope Mount 0 MOA 42700 US $42.99
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History of Rail Interface System (RIS) on weapons?
When did weapons manufacturers start using those standard picatinny rails (or use rail interface systems [RIS]) on rifles/other guns to attach scopes and what not? Can't seem to find any history. The question came up because I'm seeing rails and accessories in that new Call of Duty: Black Ops, which is supposed to be in cold war times (up to the early 80s I guess). I didn't think rail systems were in use until about the 90s. And of course, I understand its a video game, I don't care about it in the game... just curious about the history.
Rail Interface System (RIS, sometimes also referred to as Rail Accessory Systems) are the primary method of attaching accessories to small firearms such as assault rifles and light machine guns. This is done primarily in militaries and by firearm enthusiasts to improve the usability of the weapon being accessorized quickly and efficiently without requiring the weapon operator to field-strip the weapon. Most quality RIS systems are built to the M1913 Picatinny standard, which was the first standard developed.
There are different styles of RIS, depending on how much the operator will be accessorizing the weapon. Basic systems that can be installed on weapons such as the previously mentioned AR-15/M16 are usually small rails (20mm standard) with holes machined in them that are screwed onto the existing hand guard on the rifle and can cost as little as $25 to $40 USD. More advanced systems allow for numerous accessories to be mounted simultaneously and cost an average minimum of $200 USD and up for a decent quality system.
Common accessories include tactical lights, laser aiming modules, forward hand grips for improving weapon handling, telescopic sights for medium ranged or distant targets, and reflex sights/red-dot sights for short to medium ranged targets, iron sight lines, bipods, and bayonets.