Update: serial number should now be posted here- The guidelines below still apply, but the above is a dedicated database for serial numbers. There appears to be quite some interest in how the K1000 model developed over time. If all owners chime in we should be able to figure this out once and for all. Please post the information about your K1000 as a reply to this thread. Given enough conclusive data I will later create a database with the information. Here is what we are looking for (refer my next post for pictures). Feel free to suggest additional data points: Model: K1000 / K1000 SE Color of faux leather: Black / Brown Serial number: Location of serial number: Top plate engraved / Bottom plate stamped / Bottom plate sticker / Bottom plate insert Asahi Optical logo on prism housing: Yes / No Asahi name above Pentax name on prism housing: Yes / No Asahi Opt.
Engraved on back side of top cover: Yes / No 'Bump' on top plate near revind crank: Yes / No Top plate: Metal / Plastic Bottom plate: Metal / Plastic Battery cover: Threads / Bayonet Manufactured/assembled in: Japan, Hong Kong, China, No information Location of manufacturing/assembling information: Top plate engraved next to Asahi Opt. Instrukciya po ohrane truda parogenerator. Model: K1000 Color of faux leather: Black Serial number: 6103236 Location of serial number: Bottom plate stamped Asahi Optical logo on prism housing: Yes Asahi name above Pentax name on prism housing: Yes Asahi Opt. Engraved on back side of top cover: Yes Top plate: Metal Bottom plate: Metal Battery cover: Threads Manufactured/assembled in: Hong Kong (as far as I recall) Location of manufacturing/assembling information: Sticker on Bottom plate (lost) Focusing screen: Microprism Weight (without batteries and body cap) (if you know): Year of original purchase (if you know): 197x. Model: K1000 SE Color of faux leather: Brown Serial number: 6469233 Location of serial number: Bottom plate stamped Asahi Optical logo on prism housing: Yes Asahi name above Pentax name on prism housing: Yes Asahi Opt. Engraved on back side of top cover: Yes Top plate: Metal Bottom plate: Metal Battery cover: Threads Manufactured/assembled in: No information Location of manufacturing/assembling information: None Focusing screen: Split screen with microprism collar Weight (without batteries and body cap) (if you know): Don't know Year of original purchase (if you know): Don't know.
Model: K1000 Color of faux leather: Black Serial number: 7060008 Location of serial number: Bottom plate stamped Asahi Optical logo on prism housing: Yes Asahi name above Pentax name on prism housing: Yes Asahi Opt. Engraved on back side of top cover: Yes Top plate: Metal Bottom plate: Metal Battery cover: Threads Manufactured/assembled in: No information Location of manufacturing/assembling information: None Focusing screen: Microprism Weight (without batteries and body cap) (if you know): Don't know Year of original purchase (if you know): Don't know. Model: K1000 SE Color of faux leather: Brown Serial number: 6494452 Location: Bottom plate stamped/engraved Asahi Optical logo: yes Asahi name on prism: yes Asahi name on back of top cover: yes Top plate: metal Bottom plate: metal Battery cover: threaded Assembled in Hong Kong (stickered on bottom plate) Focussing screen: Split prism with microprism collar Weight: Unknown Date of purchase: Unknown, but likely the early 1980s If it helps, this camera came with SMC P-M 1:2 50 mm (early version) serial number 4467036. Lpc2129 lcd interfacing program code for free.