So-what are these Bumper Sheet Metal Pieces?

[Janky59]

Tonight I removed my rear bumper and brackets to repaint the brackets and install a new bumper this weekend. These sheet metal pieces were sandwiched between the brackets and the inside of the bumper.

Can someone tell me what they are for? I assume they are original parts...but maybe not? What sort of purpose do they serve?

I'm planning on glass beading them and rattle can them with some silver Rustoleum and reinstall as they were. '59 Fleetside is the rig...TIA.

[OrrieG]

Something added to catch water and rust out the bumper and bolts? My bumper came with the original brackets attached and didn't have them.

[paulspickupparts]

They are gravel guards or rock deflectors. Usually found on original trucks , often thrown away or rusted out. Suppose to stop the rocks thrown form your tire from bouncing off the back bumper . Stepsides also had them. Eventually Chevy came up with a filler pan which filled between the bumper and the bed. 63-66.

[Janky59]

Thanks for the identification Paul. As I posted earlier, I've cleaned them up, primed and will finish paint tomorrow, then install with my new bumper. They are essentially hidden, so I might as well hold on to them.