Forend Pivot Plate?

In my experience, the plastic pivot plate is cheesier and not as attractive as the case-colored metal ones, but if it fits the gun well it probably will never be a problem in terms of wearing out. As for the plastic case, I hate to say it, but you probably should have kept it. The case itself is much scarcer than the gun itself and probably would have added quite a bit of value in the future. More value than what you got for it, however, is debatable. It's kind of like boxes for older guns that often are worth as much as the guns they once held. Your $77 is in the price range for the few cases I've seen sold online in recent years. The last one, if memory serves me, went for $80 a couple of years ago; they don't show up too often -- what I'd call pretty scarce but not rare. FWIW, I've found new aftermarket two-compartment cases at gunshows that work well with the 24C in the $25 range.