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

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?

I think it's to do with the fact that you're looking past the rifle but at the painting.
imagine you're looking down your rifle at a mirror

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

Originally Posted by 308

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

I don’t know what your problem is, but I’m guessing it’s really hard to spell... most personality disorders are.

Foresight: front end of rifle barrel
Back (rear)sight: back end of barrel.

Originally Posted by Ranger 888

Foresight: front end of rifle barrel
Back (rear)sight: back end of barrel.

Possible? I don't know....will see if others say the same.

Why is anything called anything ?

Originally Posted by 308

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

Prob more like a deep & meaningful thought at the end of a long day

It's obvious why a tang sight is called a tang sight.
It's on the tang.

But why is it called a tang ?

Originally Posted by akaroa1

It's obvious why a tang sight is called a tang sight.
It's on the tang.

But why is it called a tang ?

You have to start somewhere. The naming of things is a fundamental aspect of human language and communication... it provides a framework for understanding and navigating the world around us.
Anyway why is is called a foresight/back sight? Looks like it could be the barrel as Ranger888 has 3 likes, so is probably correct.

Originally Posted by akaroa1

It's obvious why a tang sight is called a tang sight.
It's on the tang.

But why is it called a tang ?

Does it taste tangy ?

If you lick the Tang on a file you'll find that it is quite sharp

fore
adjective
adjective: fore

situated or placed in front.
"the fore and hind pairs of wings"

noun
noun: fore; plural noun: fores

the front part of something, especially a ship.

exclamation

Originally Posted by akaroa1

fore
adjective
adjective: fore

situated or placed in front.
"the fore and hind pairs of wings"

noun
noun: fore; plural noun: fores

the front part of something, especially a ship.

exclamation

That is the serious answer

Originally Posted by akaroa1

It's obvious why a tang sight is called a tang sight.
It's on the tang.

But why is it called a tang ?

because it would just be silly to have the tang sight on the butt stock. It needed to get fixed to the something appropiate, might as well call it a tang.
I reckon we could play origin of chickens and eggs all day.