The screws to hold the lens in, I could understand as not being round, threaded rings could not be used. If you look closely, on the gold ring you can see the suggestion of lettering. I would expect a prototype to look perhaps somewhat funny anyway.
Can anyone identify the one piece Ring/Bases, they don't look like Leupolds tacticals? Would they be testing a scope without using their mounts???? No more input from the member posting it yet??
Sure looks like the new Browning Mounts, top photo. (couldn't get the two photos apart).