Identifying steering column year

[PoDuck]

I just had a slightly frustrating experience. I went to change the turn signal cable out in my '62 for a new one I got from classicparts, and the new one was too short. I contacted them to see what the length should be, thinking they gave me one for the wrong year, and they told me that the one for the '62 should be 19-1/4 inches, and the 60-61 cable should be 24 inches long. My old one is 24 inches long, but I see no signs that the steering column has been replaced.

Are there any sure signs that the steering column came from a different year vehicle? Is the length of the turn signal cable one of them?