I'm not currently able to check references and have a dreadful memory but yes that is a pretty early Chief's. You might be able to make a rough determination of its age just by checking back through this thread and reviewing other examples.

It appears to be as sound as a dollar in the photo but if you aren't comfortable in determining its suitability for use then just have a gunsmith check it out. Age alone has no bearing on its soundness. An Airweight could develop a frame crack but this seems to show up more in much later revolvers than yours.

That is not gospel but only a hunch I have, based on reading Forum threads discussing damaged Airweights and over-torqued barrels which seem to have occurred long after the 50s era Airweights were turned out.