Vintage Koken Barber Chair Serial Number List Jun 2026

The story of Koken barber chairs begins in late 19th-century St. Louis, Missouri. While some sources date the company's formal founding to 1875, the most significant innovations came from its founder, Ernest Koken, a German immigrant who began his career producing hand-painted shaving mugs. Koken reportedly started manufacturing barbers' chairs in the 1880s, quickly becoming a pioneer in the field.

If you'd like more specific info on your chair, please let me know: What or casting codes did you find?

As sanitation laws tightened, Koken shifted away from exposed wood to heavy, easy-to-clean porcelain-enameled cast iron.

Mechanical levers or early "Congress" style mechanisms rather than fully integrated hydraulic bases.

If your chair has no serial number, do not panic. You can date a Koken chair by its physical features. vintage koken barber chair serial number list

Serial numbers from this era are usually printed on small aluminum tags attached to the base casing, rather than stamped directly into cast iron. 3. Decoding Koken Patent Numbers

Unlocking the History of Your Antique Koken Barber Chair If you’ve recently acquired an antique Koken chair, you’re holding a piece of history. Founded by Ernest Koken in St. Louis, Missouri, the revolutionized the industry with the first hydraulic-lift chair in 1892. Determining the exact age of these "thrones" can be a challenge since many factory records were lost or scattered when the company was purchased by Takara Belmont in 1970.

c. 1885 – 1888 (Introduction of swiveling and reclining features). 10,000 – 25,000: c. 1895 – 1905 (Very early hydraulic models). 25,001 – 50,000: c. 1906 – 1915. 50,001 – 85,000: c. 1916 – 1925. 85,001 – 125,000: c. 1926 – 1935 (Often featuring Art Deco styling). 125,001 – 175,000: c. 1936 – 1945. 175,001 – 225,000: c. 1946 – 1955 (Postwar production). 225,001 and higher: c. 1956 – 1960s (Later mid-century designs). JustAnswer How to Find Your Serial Number

White, green, or black porcelain finishes with chrome or nickel plating. The story of Koken barber chairs begins in

The company was purchased in the late 1950s by the Takara Belmont Company, which continues to produce high-quality barber equipment to this day. This transition is an important marker for collectors, as post-acquisition chairs often bear different design and serial number characteristics.

(available via vintage barber supply forums).

The ability to lift is crucial for value.

(raised) on the iron. These identify the part or model style, not the individual production date. Typical Locations Under the seat frame 001 – 225

Tilt the chair forward or look directly underneath the seat cushion. You will often find a cast-iron production number or a small metal tag riveted to the frame. The Hydraulic Base Castings

Heavy porcelain-enamelled bases; transition from wood to metal frames. c. 1926 – 1935 Streamlined Art Deco elements; introduction of chrome trim. 125,001 – 175,000 c. 1936 – 1945 Simplified geometries; wartime material shifts. 175,001 – 225,000 c. 1946 – 1955 Post-WWII production boom; heavy chrome, vinyl upholstery. 225,001 and Higher c. 1956 – 1960s+

: Raised numbers (like "52CB") are usually casting/part codes , not sequential serial numbers. Identifying by Design Features