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

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

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Originally Posted by 308

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

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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.

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Originally Posted by Ranger 888

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

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

Why is anything called anything ?

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Originally Posted by 308

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

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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 ?

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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 ?

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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.

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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 ?

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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

Quote:

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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

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That is the serious answer

Quote:

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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 ?

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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.