The book says 1955 for the first magnums but I have one with a date code of 9/54.
IMO you can't go wrong with the early 870's.
I have 870ADL's in 12, 16 and 20 gauge and they handle a LOT better than guns made later.
Big fan of the early ones myself. I have them as early as 1951. Just picked up a 1963 16 gauge 870 yesterday
