Atang sight is the rear sight of a pair ofiron sights used to aim or align arifle so the bullet fired will hit the target. The sight is attached to thetang: a steel plate extending toward the butt from a riflereceiver for attachment of the receiver to a woodenbuttstock.[1] A tang sight often offers the maximum sight radius, or distance between the front and rear sights attached to the rigid receiver and barrel assembly of a rifle. Large sight radius decreases bullet placement errors caused by sight misalignment.[2]
Tang sights were widely used for long-range shooting during the late 19th century. They became less common as lighter rifles with heavier recoil increased the possibility of eye injury from the proximity of the sight to the shooter's face.[2] Tang sights remain popular with individuals participating in historical re-enactment events andcowboy action shooting matches.[3]