Quote:
I've never liked the term 'false sideplates'


I agree - it makes no sense. It's a 'false term' in my book.

False or fake pins, however, are real - see below, from http://www.hallowellco.com/abbrevia.htm

"Sideplates - Decorative steel plates mounted to the sides of a boxlock break-open gun, inletted into the receiver and into the wood just behind it, to make the gun resemble a sidelock in appearance and to provide a greater area for engraving." Sideplated guns, usually, can be recognized by the lack of action pins visible in the sideplates (although some sideplated guns are built with fake pins)."

Always looking for small bore Francotte SxS shotguns.