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?

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So why is it called a foreskin, not a back or rear skin?
Just out of interest, which one are you putting closest to your eye?