Few observations...
-That is almost 1/4"... that's pretty big.
-They "climb" opposite directions.
-The set that "climbs" off the stem, is "climbing" the wrong way. If it was something building on top of itself, the upper "scales" that are in the air would not have attached underneath of the others, just doesn't make sense from a "climbing" aspect.
-The stem is damaged underneath the "scales" and he is telling you it isn't.
Again, and I'm not accusing anyone. Are you sure he isn't fucking with you?