Help: 1996 Axis question

I really need some help. I really want to purchase this 1996 EBMM Axis, but the serial number does not match the guitar color. The guy selling it said “The backplate was lost so new metal backplate (from EB) is installed” and I had him send me a pic of the backplate with the serial number (attached) and then he said “It’s the original number you can verify on music man site as did I. The original back plate was lost and replaced by new one from EB. I took it off and it’s in the case”. I checked it against my two other Axis guitars and it looks legit to me, but the serial number thing is bothering me. Thank you for taking the time to look at my post.

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