First, your latch is 47-51 as in 52 they changed to the push button. I could be mistaken, but I seem to remember the company Cowles stamped in one of my latches, catches or hinges. Your right about the packaging, not from the forties or early fifties.
Thank you Phil. This should have been the first red flag. Given it was the middle of the night, I drove right past that one. Certainly a clue that the seller did not know what he was selling. Fortunately my truck is a 47. Is the latch you have that is stamped with Cowles new repro or in the truck for a long time?
