Thread: Why are they called foresight & back/rear sight?

Originally Posted by Hermitage

I'm sure there is probably a very simple answer to this question, but I just don't know it...so

If you look at a photo or painting, the 'foreground' is the part of the image that looks closest to you (ie a beach). While the 'background' is the part in the image that looks farthest away from the observer (ie the sea).

However with a firearm, the 'foresight' is the part of the rifle that is farthest away from you... while the 'backsight' is the part that is closest to you.

Why?

Hard to know if you are taking the piss or really this dumb