Assuming that you asked HQ's about this, what...
did they have to say about your theory that the differential in the old photos were "custom made at a machine shop. but the newest ones......."
Is the answer that you received confidential too, or can you share the revelation?
Also, if you were at HQ's, why did you have to ask them about the photos? Couldn't they let you see one of the items instead of looking at and talking about a photo of the product?