Something is still stuck to my brain telling me there were 4 digit numbers on the back of some later models in the 70s. But I also remember people not caring as long as I put their stingray face and parts in said nice chrome case...
Internal gear parts changed colors at some points too, but I had no official date stamps to go off of for reference. And have pushed most of that out of memory by now.
Keep in mind, they were add on accessories that could be bolted on at almost any time.