Quoted:
These are marked "Sterling", and are parkarized.
They are not "other" mags.
I have a feeling they are rare because I've have only seen the straight, aluminium ones.
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My dad has a Sterling, a Howa, and a Costs Mesa, all in mint condition. He needed some extra mags for them, so he inquired of the factory about accessories and received a letter of what was available. He probably still has the original letter, since he hates to throw anything away.
On this list were different mags(20rd, 30rd). The 20's were offered in both aluminum and steel. Since he already had some Al ones, he ordered the steel ones and got what you described.
I don't think a repudable company like Armalite is going to take someone else's mags and put their base plates on them.
Judging from the feedback you are getting on this, no one seems to know much about them, so I'd say they are RARE.
I'll ask my dad if he'd like to sell any of them. If so I'll IM you.
Hope this helps.