Lots of good info in this thread. Specifically that the tabs on the covers would be routinely removed when eventually damaged. I'll bet a lot of people did not know that.

Back to the mount variations. Many have been pictured with holes punched through for the rivets. I have one with and without holes. Is this just chalked up to different makers.
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Likewise the black one ( w/out rivet hoes in the cover) shows heavy reinforcing weld at the front and back of the T bar. Could it be that either one method or the other ( rivets or weld) were both approved to keep the T bar on there? Also of note here is Bracket height and gauge thickness of the cover. The black being noticeably thinner that the tan cover.
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JR