The metal bowl handles on the 18.5's were always a version if the one pictured. Late in the Wood Dale years just prior to the change to teak lid handles, the welding points were more rounded off. Now metal lid handled 18s always had the same style lid handle as the 22s/26s.
Example of a "later" 18 MBH. From a PAT PENDING Cado 18.
Ok....the Age Guide page here says '56 was the first year the kettle took its current shape. It also says the 56/57s are the only ones w/ the solid triangle base.
Does this mean 56s can be distinguished from 57s by the different bowl handles? For instance, Idahawk's black beauty is a 56 while my custom is a 57?
Lol.