Buffington Sight question

[Farmall-130]

Model 1884 Buffington sight has a aperture (peep) and a ?Christmas Tree? cutout on the sliding leaf. I understand the aperture?s purpose. The Christmas Tree?s ?trunk? is another sight notch. My question is why does the cutout have the triangular shape? There must be a reason for having a angular shape.

[JimF]

I’m guessing here, but it may provide better centering of the entire field of view.
I know it helps me get a good sight picture.

[Tkacook]

The is from the Trapdoor Collector website:
https://www.trapdoorcollector.com//pics_html/Buffington1.jpg
https://www.trapdoorcollector.com//pics_html/buffington2.jpg

[Farmall-130]

I have the book, ?Loading Cartridges for the Original 45-70 Springfield? by J.S. & Pat Wolf. There?s a chapter on the sights that goes into detail; however, my question is why Buffington chose the triangular shape. He didn?t choose a rectangle, square or other shape. There?s got to be a reason but I?m not getting it.

[Dick Hosmer]

Perhaps a triangle gave the greatest amount of apparent open area above the notch, relative to removing the least amount of metal?

[Major Tom]

Whatever?! I don't mess with that sight at all. I'm sure the regular trooper didn't either.

[Fred]

It’s called a Field Sight.