A striking variation exists with the Samwise Gamgee from the early assortment of The Fellowship Of The Ring. 

Samwise Gamgee figures found with Date Stamps of 2001 were initially packaged with both arms over his head. 

Further this version also had blonde hair, and the frying pan was painted almost entirely black. 

This variation is easy to distingush when comparing both versions side by side. 

The example shown has a Date Stamp of 22501.