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Simply check the characteristics to determine your "model". A letter from S&W would be definite as to date.
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Shipping date yes.
Unfortunately, and to no fault of those issuing S&W letters, S&W did not record manufacture dates and historical letters are based on the shipping date. The BATF uses the date that the serial number was applied to the frame as determining when a gun was born and henceforth its antique or C&R status. With S&W's it is possible that a true antique does not qualify because it wasn't shipped until after the cut off date.
There are some models that folks have worked with the BATF to establish that all frames are antiques since they were in fact manufactured before the cut off date but I don't think it covers all models.
Some states like California IIRC, use a different date than the BATF to determine antique status so you must also check your local state rules as well.
All in all, it never gets easier.
Personally, as we quickly approach the era of phasers and photon torpedoes, I think that any firearm that was designed originally to shoot black powder should be considered an antique. Heck, a car is considered an antique at 25 years.
