I don't have a proper answer for you, but in general, all of SA's models went through little development steps along the way. The frame thickness you mention (dustcover area, in front of the trigger and also in the shape of the frontstrap) changed around 2002-2003, although the precise time varied in different models. Hammers, safeties and sights went through some minor changes, too. I would expect the gun that has the staked-in front sight to also have the squared frame. I think SA moved to dovetailed front sights at some point, in all models except the Classic (and the GI, while it was on offer). These guns were basically a sub-variant of the 'Loaded' series of pistols, which IIRC sometimes had ambi thumb safeties, sometimes they didn't.
Of course people change parts on their guns all the time, and I'm not familiar enough with SA pistols to tell you which part is aftermarket and which isn't... although I'd hazard a guess that the big-button magazine release I see in your first photo isn't original.
Too many people miss the silver lining because they're expecting gold.
M. Setter
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