I agree, I believed they were rare but now it’s looking like they’re mainly “uncommon” at about less than 1200 made.
I do think they probably used an strange number skipping approach that is harder to figure out than traditional ones because I really doubt International Concepts ordered 1200 of these on a mere whim and believed they could sell.
It’s likely as well that they designated certain clusters to denote the style of game. They most likely started and stopped with each new interaction of Night Moved as they were produced.
My other theory is: what if they actually made ~450 of EACH STYLE of Night Moves. So the metal apron and guides had 450, then the intermediate version with shallow cab had 450 and finally the plastic apron, deep cab had 450.
It is likely we will never know, but I look forward to new developments!
I’m also seriously considering selling or trading my NM, late production model for a very early one with a shallow cab.
I enjoy the look of the early ones much more for some reason. I think the inserts also seem to look different in the earlier ones, but can’t confirm it for certain.