The oldest Fender bass (instrument) I ever held in my hands was a 100% original Fender Telecaster bass from 1968.
So, I can't say I am an absolute Fender vintage expert.
But (as an Asperger autist) I analyzed hundreds of photos of old (or faked) Fender basses from 1951 to 1983. This made me a "myth-buster" and addicted freak in one.
Especially from 1951-65 may things were possible. The Fender company extended and Leo Fender always had problems to build as many instruments as required. With the increase of the instrument range the problems grew - and Leo Fender (and his employees) always found (sometimes very strange) ways.
These years were years without internet or multiple photo magazine reports. The Fender bass in the shop was an "up-to-date" Fender bass - and nobody could really judge what was typical for a 52/53 or 55/56 Fender bass. Only big differences like the contoured body from 1954 or the new 57 P-Bass were easy to see. No advertisement showed different bridges, a different wiring +++
Who knew, that his Sonic Blue Stratocaster body was yellow stained before (because it might have become Sunburst) and changed the colour into "Surf green" after 10 years?!
Some parts of the P-bass are surely NOT original.
But this doesn't mean that the bass is a fake!
I would like to see other photos of this bass, too!
Maybe a link?