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hi

there a question that bothers me for a while is why sideplates had this form, as seen in the photo

Because they went so nicely with the "mutton-chop" facial hair styles of the time...Geo

I've alway viewed this as a feature that left more wood in the critical area above the lock plates and secondly as a pleasing "line for the plate itself.
Jim

I think it started as a nod to the back action side plates which, it should be remembered, were believed by many to represent a stronger gun.
Later, it became a 'trade mark' of some makers: Rigby, Blanch, Lancaster, early H&H Royals, all H&H back action sidelocks.
It then became devalued as a style by the many low and middle quality guns made with this lock shape and most makers moved away from it, Rigby being the notable exception.
But then Rigby always ploughed their own inimitable furrow!
And Lancaster were just plain odd!