Rear Bumperettes (guards) for 75 Duster.

I'd trust the parts book more than my own anecdotal evidence for sure. After looking at my '75 duster parts car I can say that in your first pic of bumper with mounted guard, the guard is upside down. The widest part is the top when installed. That may help clarify your dilemma but leaves me fascinated regarding parts book differences.
It is positioned correctly, just wrong for the car. The studs are even in the holes. The rubber always wraps the bottom. Tops are chrome. As seen in second pic above, the top portion of the correct guard for Duster is bigger, as you described. Here is correct one on bumper.

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