[Jayce]

I have one of these sets and can answer a few questions. Of course the first thing to tell you is: DON'T PLUG IT IN! That's the first rule of thumb with these old radios until they can be checked out properly. Those hinges acutally are original (mine has them as well) and are actually used as stops to keep you from accidentally pulling the chassis totally out the front! Basically, you would unplug the speaker wires, flip those hinges up, and then you can carefully pulle the chassis totally out from the front. The back on mine has holes so you can reach those hinges without pulling the back off.