My best guess is something has gone awry.
When the update is all successfully done, the log in screen shows the version 1.2.4, the admin panel shows 1.2.4 in the footer, the system> logs>install/upgrade history will show the version also -
so if you're not seeing the correct version in all of these places - there is an issue to be solved
and viewpage source on home page on site shows version.
<meta name="" content="" />
Hmm, I must be missing something simple then...
For a manual upgrade, do you need to do anything with the package.xml file?
From the abantecart_1.2.4_upgrade_only folder, I only see stuff in code and the upgrade.sql file.
From the docs, all it seems you need is to just:
(1) move the files from code over, then
(2) run the upgrade.sql script
Maybe something is not copying over correctly or I missed a step.
I wasn't sure where in the process the system "knows" that it's now on Version 1.2.4.