Not sure why you would assume that the handwheels were brand new. Tunisia pic, I can clearly see that the plating has been worn off of the edges of one of the cubes
I'm not assuming. They were made in the 1970's. If a good amount of them are still found in excellent condition today... it's certainly safe to assume they were quite new in the 1970's... when they were made... brand new.
And that's what I mean by the photo is "bad". I don't see the chrome worn off anywhere. Much less "clearly" see it worn off. Sorry man, I just don't see what you see.