Vintage Koken Barber Chair Serial Number List ~upd~ ◆ (TOP)

c. 1881 (Earliest models with Ernest Koken's first reclining patents). 1,000 – 9,999:

Sometimes, the number is stamped directly into the cast iron frame near the base or on the reclining mechanism under the seat.

Document every stamped number you find. Check the base, frame, and mechanical levers.

Check the footrest. Models from this era often display "Koken Companies" rather than "Koken Barbers' Supply Co." The Post-WWII / Modern Era (1940s – 1950s)

patented in 1892. Because precise factory ledgers are rare, collectors rely on approximate serial number ranges and design features to date these pieces. Finding the Serial Number vintage koken barber chair serial number list

Today, restoring or owning a vintage Koken chair is a labor of love, often requiring collectors to date their chairs accurately. The key to unlocking this history is the .

But one question plagues every new owner:

Related search suggestions (for further research): vintage Koken serial numbers, Koken barber chair model list, Koken patent dates.

Look around the bottom rim of the outer porcelain or iron base shroud. Check the underside of the base lip. Look near the hydraulic foot pedal mechanism or pump lever. 2. The Frame and Seat Underside Document every stamped number you find

: Often stamped directly onto the wooden frame or a metal base plate. Hydraulic reservoir : Stamped on the top of the metal reservoir under the seat. Base plate : Stamped into the metal of the chair's foot or frame. : "Casting numbers" (e.g.,

To identify the age of a vintage Koken barber chair , you can cross-reference its 4–6 digit stamped serial number with documented production ranges. While exact factory records are rare, collectors use the following approximate ranges to date these chairs: Koken Serial Number Dating Guide Serial Number Range Estimated Production Year(s) Key Features & Context c. 1881 – 1884 Earliest models; first reclining patent in 1881 1,000 – 9,999 c. 1885 – 1888 Introduction of swiveling and revolving mechanisms 10,000 – 25,000 c. 1895 – 1905 Transition to early hydraulic models 25,001 – 50,000 c. 1906 – 1915 Peak of ornate cast iron and wooden "Congress" models 50,001 – 85,000 c. 1916 – 1925 Standardized hydraulic systems 85,001 – 125,000 c. 1926 – 1935 Art Deco influence begins; porcelain and steel common 125,001 – 175,000 c. 1936 – 1945 Late Art Deco and early Streamline Moderne styles 175,001 – 225,000 c. 1946 – 1955 Post-war production; "Presidents" and "Super Luxor" models c. 1956 – 1960s Final US production before the brand was sold in 1969 Where to Find the Numbers

Ernest Koken patented the first successful hydraulic lift barber chair in 1892. Chairs from this era feature massive, ornate cast-iron bases with elaborate scrollwork, filigree, and early porcelain enamel finishes.

Late Art Deco to World War II production; streamlined metal frames and simpler geometries. c. 1946 – 1955 Models from this era often display "Koken Companies"

Koken chairs are rarely marked on the outside. To find the serial number, you often need to look in less accessible areas. The most common locations include:

Because precise factory logs no longer exist, collectors rely on sequential data cross-referenced from surviving period catalogs and patent applications. The Koken Barber Chair Is as Handsome as It Is Useful

: Raised numbers (e.g., "52CB") are often casting or part identifiers and do not provide an exact manufacturing date. The "Takara Belmont" Era

Because no official book exists, collectors rely on shared data. Below is a list of known serial numbers and their associated patent dates/models to help you compare.

Heavy use of chrome plating, rounded edges, and integrated ash trays. The look matches the classic Americana "Main Street" barbershop.