A Hint of Lime (Updated with Pics)

[WNC]

Thanks @Craig I was hoping you'd jump in with the year!

Any idea on how to get the wheels off?

Is that a cut washer on the wheel/axle?

Sent from an Aqua Blue Western Electric Model 500.

Umm...I'm not sure?
I've never seen any kettle set up like this. It looks kind of like a washer maybe tack welded on?

Is this not something that Weber used to do? Like some sort of custom job maybe?

[pbe gummi bear]

It looks like someone put on a washer and hammered a flange into the rod. I think replacement is your best bet if you want it liking pristine. Otherwise, it looks solid so you can just fire it up as is.

[Uncle Al]

Congrats on the sweet score!  It looks like you could grind/file down the mushroomed end of the axle and slide the washer and wheel off.  If there is enough of it left you might be able to get the correct press-on nut back on.