My SV

Here is a photo of my Pentax SV and 55mm 1.8 Super Takumar lens. All still in good working order.

Sweet! That looks like the early version of it.

Serial number is 561979. I also have the original black tooled leather ever ready case.

The green R on the film crank and the serial number confirm that its the early version. The early version has the rectangular part of the door latch on the door rather than the body. It also has the aperture actuation bar shaped like a crescent in the middle. That is the most important feature. The early models can't be used with the Super Tak 50mm f1.4 lenses because that bar and possible the mirror will hit and engrave the rear element. The late versions have a slightly deeper mirror box. The early version was made for a shorter period and is less common, especially in the condition of yours.

Thank you indeed for the interesting information. This belonged to my father, so I will not be parting with it.

I have a book, Asahi Pentax Guide by W.D. Emanuel, 15th edition August 1972, published by The Focal Press (cost 75p), which describes the SV, but makes no mention of an early and late model.