Need help dating my 18.5 WSM

[Ruben Resendez]

Looking for information on my WSM. Normally there is a date code on the dampers but I can’t seem to find any type of marketing. It looks to be all original with a upside down rivet on the lid dampener but seems to be original! It does have steel legs. Any help would be great. I’m sorry if this has been covered already. Thank you in advance!!

 

[Chris Allingham]

Well, the date code would only be on the lid damper, and the inside-out rivet makes me wonder if that damper has been refastened, if not outright replaced at some point. We sometimes find smokers with no date code, but replacing the damper would be a sure-fire way to lose the original date code.

The steel legs are a sign that this grill dates back to the early 80's, probably 1981-82. We don't know exactly when Weber switched from steel to aluminum, but we think 1983-84.

Hard to tell from your photos, but it looks like the original steel door has been replaced with an aluminum one.

 

[Tony-Chicago]

Well wsm are well liked but ...
Wait, food, hot, and quiet..

 

[BFletcher]

Try "Hey, beautiful; would you like to make dinner for me tonight?"

 

[Kelly C]

Weber first made a production run in 1980 with no date code on the lid air damper. Those were referred to as a B code before the first official run in 1981 with a C date code. Shallow water pan, steel door and legs date it to early 80’s. The old wing nuts on the horizontal straps on middle section are early. You may have a B code from 1980! Congratulations on a great find in great condition!!!!

 

[timothy]

Kelly I think your on to something.
That's the first time I seen wing nuts and the vents are smooth without that X shaped raised section like you see on C dated or todays WSM's.

How To Determine The Age Of Weber Grills & Smokers - The Virtual Weber Bullet

How to determine the age of Weber grills and smokers using the date code stamped or printed on the grill. Also, the C Club: Proud owners of first-year WSMs.

www.virtualweberbullet.com

 

[Tony-Chicago]

Well wsm are well liked but ...
Wait, food, hot, and quiet..

Smokin' hot.
Curves on top and bottom er all the right places.
Tall dark handsome

 

[Larry D.]

Nice one! It looks like it has been in a time capsule.

 

[Joan]

Don't waste anymore time here guys. Looks like Chris got the date. lol

 

[Ruben Resendez]

Try "Hey, beautiful; would you like to make dinner for me tonight?"

Lol…. I walked right into this!

 

[Ruben Resendez]

Weber first made a production run in 1980 with no date code on the lid air damper. Those were referred to as a B code before the first official run in 1981 with a C date code. Shallow water pan, steel door and legs date it to early 80’s. The old wing nuts on the horizontal straps on middle section are early. You may have a B code from 1980! Congratulations on a great find in great condition!!!!

Thank you!

 

[Ruben Resendez]

Nice one! It looks like it has been in a time capsule.

Thank you yes it is really clean it looks as it was only used a few times.