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?

When I look at a firearm, the muzzle end is the front of it, and the other side is the backend. I like to think that's why it's called a "butt".

Hence, the 'foresight' being at the front of the rifle and the 'backsight' is at the back of the rifle.