No – or at least, not easily.  Cameras made in the Soviet Union and former Soviet Union up to about 2000 do indicate clearly the year of manufacture: the first two digits of the serial number are the year.  However, it seems as though the East Germans devised a system that makes any dating well-nigh impossible.  Nevertheless, I have been told that a book exists in German, listing all serial number batches and the date of manufacture.  I believe that it costs about 50 Euros, and I have not tried to buy it.

The Praktisix was first produced in 1956 by VEB Kamerawerke Niedersedlitz, East Germany.  The initials KW appeared on the waist level finder. 

From 1959 this was part of the VEB Kamera- und Kinowerke Dresden, and the KW was replaced with the Ernemann Tower symbol on the waist level finder.

In 1964 a new version of the Praktisix was was produced, with the name Praktisix II.

In 1966 the Praktisix IIA appeared.

1967 saw the arrival of a revised model with the new name Pentacon-Six.

In 1968 VEB Pentacon Dresden launched a TTL metering pentaprism, and the camera was re-named the Pentacon-Six TL.  The first Pentacon Six TL cameras had the letters “TL” on a new line underneath the word “six”, but later a new front plate was designed that said “Pentacon six TL” all on one line.

From about 1980 the lens breech lock ring on body was black, and all lenses were multi-coated and marked MC in red.

I am told that the last series produced (in 1989-90) can be recognised by two differences from all earlier series:

• on the shutter release, the front face (where you place your finger) is shiny, instead of having concentric circles
• the base plate with the hole for the camera case screw or tripod screw is shiny metallic throughout, with no black inserts