TOPIC: Mercury quicksilver "deluxe" control box

I have another um oddity. This may all be due to letting a project sit for so long.
My original control lever had almost all of the chrome plating rusting and peeling off. I found a "nos" one on ebay quite a while ago and ordered it.
I just removed the control box last week, and brought it down to the bench to see what was what. I removed the original lever without any issues, but when I unpacked the other one;
completely different interface, different wiring interface, and backwards. Even if the pilot area was on the port side instead of starboard, the lever is still backwards as far as tilt/trim buttons are concerned. Both levers have the same part number in the casting #55395
Maybe a boat just insn't for me?
Last picture is of the 12 pin connector. I think Doc asked for one years ago.