Before this rifle was acquired by my client it had been poorly rebarreled with new fore end. I rebarreled it with a modern Metford rifled barrel(Snover) to 500-450 #1 express, built a new fore end in the proper shape, fabricated sight bases and a sling swivel base. The bluing was removed from the action and the patina was restored.  A very enjoyable project. Flat top checkering by Steve Dalzell.

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Hi Bob,
          Those are known as Selous side plates. Believed to be first ordered by the famous hunter and explorer Frederick Courtney Selous on one of his Gibbs Farquharsons. The plates are a preventative measure to insure the stock does not break while exposed to the rigors of Africa. 

Steve

Beautiful work as always Steve. I'm still playing with and enjoying the Ken Hurst engraved Rolling Block you finished building for me. 
Flatlander

I have a George Gibbs with the "full Selous side plates" and mine also has 50 slotted "timed" screws mounting the plates on each side just like this one. Mine in chambered in .450/400 3" and the wood is exhibition grade. The plates on mine are in the white, the action white/patina and the barrel with good original blue.

Side safety.

I sent the pictures to your regular email address (on 17NO23) which you sent to me as I requested. I never heard back so I assume you received the pictures.

Portside

I sent the pictures to the gmail.com address you gave to me and got conformation that it was sent on the 15th of Nov. I just sent a second set of pictures to the same gmail.com address. Hope it makes the trip this time, have a good Thanksgiving.

Portside

I bet those Selous plates could be warm to handle in tropical sunlight….  The Gibbs book sez action #815 may have been owned by Selous.

I have .219 Zipper on Gibbs action #796.  My late friend Dietrich Apel built the rifle when he worked for his uncle at Jaeger’s in the 1950’s.  Full original Gibbs engraving.  Has been mine since about 1970.