Found a Weber today, looks old.

[Picketwire BBQ]

Found one today and I am trying to figure out how old it is. I looked up how and from what i can tell there should be a serial number on the top vent. This one how ever only has a paten number.

[kirk fortin]

I would check on the WKC website....Weber Kettle Club...they have the whole process there to find out the age of your Weber

[Roast Beast]

Post up a picture of the cooker and vent.

[Picketwire BBQ]

Photos

[Picketwire BBQ]

Another

[Fwismoker]

Wow...that is really cool. Very nice find! Are you gonna try to restore it to a new look condition? It wouldn't be cheap but it sure would be sharp

[Picketwire BBQ]

Im thinking so, but idk. At this point just trying to figure out if its worth it.

[Fwismoker]

1968-1970
In 1968, Weber designed a new leg socket and filed a patent for it. They started stamping the top vent with ‘patent pending.’ These new leg sockets stopped using the metal thumbscrews. The patent was filed for in November of 1968, and granted in November of 1970. It’s safe to assume any grill with Patent Pending on the vent is a late 68, a 69, or a 70. The wheels also switched over to an all-plastic design during this time.
Also in 1968, Weber filed a patent for the Seville

Hopefully this will help you

http://weberkettleclub.com/determine-age-of-old-grill/

[Roast Beast]

That one's newer. The 68-70 read "Pat. Pending." That one has a patent number. Probably early-mid 1970s.

[Picketwire BBQ]

Thats kinda what i was thinking. Between 70 and 79.

[Fwismoker]

Thats kinda what i was thinking. Between 70 and 79. Yep for sure...you gotta 70's model, the patent # matches. Definitely nice find!

[Picketwire BBQ]

How do you go about repainting one of these beasts? Im not a fan of the flat black hi temp paint either.

[BBQ Grail]

That is a circa 1973 Bar-B-Kettle from Weber.

[Picketwire BBQ]

If you don't mind me asking, how did you determine 1973?

[Fwismoker]

How do you go about repainting one of these beasts? Im not a fan of the flat black hi temp paint either.I'd start with a full sand blasting. The repainting i'd go powder coat unless you want to pay for a ceramic coating....not cheap though.

[sliding_billy]

Nice find.

[Harbormaster]

It's between a 73 and a 78, that much is for sure, but I can't give you a specific year.

You don't want to paint that Weber. Clean it up really well, and cook on it. If you must, once clean wipe it down with a thin coat of flaxseed oil.

Edit: It's on the early end of the 73-78 scale because it has a small tab on the lid vent. Also, go here (http://weberkettleclub.com/weber-handles/) and buy a reproduction Weber handle.

[J-Rod]

That is a circa 1973 Bar-B-Kettle from Weber.

I disagree. Two reasons, one it has the tubular metal handles on the kettle(not the flat stock type) and two the vent isn't stamped "Bar-B-Q-Kettle". My early 70's kettle has both of the latter features. No doubt this is an early 70's weber kettle though, just no a "bbq kettle".

Though perhaps they changed from year to year... I could be wrong...

To the op, cool find. I'd clean it up and cook on it. Be interesting to see what a shop would charge to blast and powder coat it though...

[Smoothsmoke]

Good find, leave it OG.

[Harbormaster]

I disagree. Two reasons, one it has the tubular metal handles on the kettle(not the flat stock type) The OP's grill is a 22.5" kettle. Tubular metal handles on the bowl were standard for the 22.5" until at least 1980. The flat steel handles were only on the 18.5" kettles.
and two the vent isn't stamped "Bar-B-Q-Kettle". My early 70's kettle has both of the latter features. No doubt this is an early 70's weber kettle though, just no a "bbq kettle". Apparently Weber stopped using "BAR-B-Q-KETTLE" on the vents in 1975, opting to replace it with the engraved "Weber" logo. The vent on the OP's grill indicates it is from 1976 or 1977. All other manufacturing cues agree (wheels, double rivet handle, etc...). I just checked 2 of my kettles that are known to be of this vintage, and they match the OP's grill. Though not engraved on the vent, it is still a BAR-B-Q-Kettle.

Edit: Here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/32306142@N07/8688050382/in/photostream/) is a link to to an outstanding graphic that documents Weber vent lids. (Credit to MartyG of the WKC)

[Picketwire BBQ]

Wow, didn't realize weber was such a cult following. I do believe i will leave the paint alone and just clean it up really well. After all why mess with a almost 40 year patina.

[Smokin' D]

Not being the nostalgic type, when I found one like that but with most of the finish gone and 1/2 the dome covered in rust, I did this to it to be the top of the drum cooker.

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o101/RabNab/P6270320.jpg (http://s118.photobucket.com/user/RabNab/media/P6270320.jpg.html)

That was not the only violent thing done to this kettle. I cut the top bead off of the bottom half and screwed that into the drum so the now beautiful top would have a perfectly sealed seat.

Here is the cut off portion awaiting the grinder to remove the last vestiges of the handles. Seemingly, I do have destructive tendencies.

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o101/RabNab/P7290285.jpg (http://s118.photobucket.com/user/RabNab/media/P7290285.jpg.html)

Anyway I do believe the top is MUCH happier in its new life being the hat to redruM!

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o101/RabNab/P6270323.jpg (http://s118.photobucket.com/user/RabNab/media/P6270323.jpg.html)

Enjoy that patina if you must!

[Harbormaster]

Wow, didn't realize weber was such a cult following. I do believe i will leave the paint alone and just clean it up really well. After all why mess with a almost 40 year patina.
We love our Webers, what can we say?

The porcelain coating on a Weber makes it tough to paint and have it look good.

I have a couple of the same vintage as yours that I cook on all the time. One got wiped down with Flax oil and it looks pretty good. I call them my Rat Rods.

Good cooking!

[vader06]

Just put it together and use it. You will be putting more into than what it is worth. They look cool with the fading color and patina.

[Grain Belt]

The idea of "worth" is a tough one with Webers. There are a few rare models/colors that may be worth a bit but for the most part they are cookers. A black to greay standard kettle from the 70's isn't one of them. Clean 'er up to make sanitary and get to cookin'! They cook great.

[smoke ninja]

http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd490/NeoTrout/VentChart2_zpsf25ca1a7.jpg[/QUOTE

This helped me. Posted by NeoTrout.

76-77 just like mine.

[Picketwire BBQ]

Ive decided that the grill will stay original……I shall name it jesse.

[bbqchicken]

I didn't realize their was a Weber historical society. :thumb: