There seemed to be limited info on dating early Smokey joes so I did some digging and found the following. I’ve used catalogs, print media descriptions and collector photos of metal lid handle Smokey’s to come up with this info. by no means is it 100% accurate and happy for others to jump in with anything they have found but thought i would share:
-chromed legs 55/56 as it was mentioned in these catalogs
-Square lid handle end up until 59
-Rounded lid handle end from 1960 onwards would have been redesigned and standardised with the intro of galley Que and all sea foam galley ques are rounded
-Single vent from 55-63. Three vent introduced in 64 when catalog mentioned “improved Smokey joe”
Late 64 to early 65 handle, changed to be offset pointing to the outside of grill. Still a metal handle but just prior to timber which was introduced in 65.
There also may be some significance in the lid vent rivet. All rivets I have seen on the handle over the vent are riveted from inside the lid. The offset handle pointing away from centre of lid are riveted from the outside. The one that is on its way appears to be handle over vent but riveted from outside but needs to be verified and could just be grime in the rivet making bit appear as solid top of rivet on outside.
I am unsure also if the very early 55/56 Smokey’s had a square tab bowl vent. Some print media suggests this but not always reliable to refer to print media images.
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Topic: Early Single Vent Smokey Joe (Read 4613 times)
