The part of the lift you show in your pic has probably looked like that for all it's life. The top of the jack may have changed or been repaired but the handle we see looks like it's about the same age as the bottom. It looks like a nice jack. Better than the one I had use of many years ago.
Transmission jacks are not for your casual repair shop. Transmission repair scares most people, even some mechanics.
Modern front wheel drive car transmissions don't see this tool. The transmission comes out with the engine and through the top.