Before you search for a list, you must find the number. On a vintage Koken barber chair, look in these three places (in order of likelihood):
The value of a Koken chair is heavily influenced by the working condition of its hydraulic lift and the rarity of its materials (e.g., quarter-sawn oak, original tufted leather).
This article is for informational purposes. The accuracy of serial number dating is based on community and auction data; for a certified appraisal, please consult a professional. vintage koken barber chair serial number list
Note: These ranges are approximate, as records from the early 1900s are scarce. Serial Number Range Approximate Year(s) c. 1895 – 1905 (Early Hydraulics) 25,001 – 50,000 c. 1906 – 1915 50,001 – 85,000 c. 1915 – 1925 85,001 – 110,000+ c. 1925 – 1935+
However, finding a comprehensive, public-facing list for these serial numbers can be challenging, as Koken’s original factory records are not fully available to the public. This article serves as a comprehensive guide: it delves into Koken’s history, offers detailed instructions on how to find your chair’s serial number, provides a crowd-sourced database of known numbers and their associated dates, explains how to interpret the serial number format, and explores alternative methods for dating your chair when the numbers are missing. Before you search for a list, you must find the number
Do you have a serial number that doesn't match this list? Photograph it and email the moderators of the Vintage Barber Chair subreddit or the Koken Collectors Facebook group. You might help expand the list for the next generation of barbers.
A vintage Koken barber chair is more than furniture; it is a piece of American history. By locating the serial number on your chair and comparing it to the , you can pinpoint the era in which it was produced, adding value and historical significance to your piece. Whether it’s a 1905 ornate masterpiece or a 1940s workhorse, your Koken chair is a testament to the "golden age" of grooming. The accuracy of serial number dating is based
Inspect the iron bracket that connects the seat back to the seat base. Check the metal framework beneath the footrest. 3. The Footrest Plate
is like owning a piece of industrial art. Founded by German immigrant Ernest Koken in St. Louis, Missouri, the revolutionized grooming by patenting the world’s first hydraulic-powered lifting and reclining chair mechanism.
Koken barber chairs are arguably some of the most iconic, durable, and highly sought-after pieces of Americana in the collecting world. Founded by Ernest Koken in the late 19th century, the Koken Barbers' Supply Company in St. Louis, Missouri, pioneered the hydraulic barber chair, transforming a functional tool into a luxurious experience.
: Check the top of the hydraulic reservoir or the iron base plate.