Amp meter reading backwards

'74 with a standard setup is basically wired like this.
upload_2020-4-19_19-27-19-png.png
'74 has the seatbelt interlock and other differences. The point is; the run from the alt out to the main splice should be a direct run with one connection (at the firewall).

However, if the car was equipped with a rear window defrost grid, the ammeter's post was used a distribution point for the alternator output wire (R6).
upload_2020-12-27_22-14-19.png
More about that setup here How rare is electric rear defrost?