how do I tell what year it is?

[68c10owner]

This older gentelman I know has a 47-53 chevy shortbed in his back yard and I might be able to talk him out of it. He doesn`t know what year it is for sure and doesn`t have any paperwork on it to tell us. I know it`s a shortbed 3100 3 window and I`m pretty sure it has the windshield divider. I don`t know much about these years. the truck still has the original drivetrain and it looks like it was a driver withn the last 5 yrs or so. It`s in pretty good shape. Is there anything in the VIN number that would give the year? Any special parts only came on certain years I should look for? Thanks.