Vintage Koken Barber Chair Serial Number List Today

This report is based on available data and may not be exhaustive. Further research is necessary to verify and expand the serial number list. Additionally, some serial numbers may be missing or incorrect due to incomplete records or human error.

If you own one of these pieces, finding a specific, centralized "Vintage Koken Barber Chair Serial Number List" is a common hope. While a complete, publicly available database of every single Koken chair ever produced does not exist online, this article will serve as your definitive guide. We will show you exactly how to find, interpret, and date your Koken chair using its serial number, history, and design features.

Founded in St. Louis, Missouri, by German immigrant Ernest Koken, the Koken Company revolutionized the grooming industry by inventing the first hydraulic-operated barber chair. Today, these chairs are highly sought-after "functional art" pieces that command anywhere from $800 to over $10,000 among collectors and high-end shops.

Koken (J.T. Fisher & Co. later Koken Barber Supply Co.) manufactured barber chairs from the late 19th century through the mid-20th century. Collectors and restorers use serial numbers and features to date chairs, identify models, and verify originality. This guide summarizes key serial-number ranges, model traits, dating tips, and restoration/identification advice for vintage Koken barber chairs. vintage koken barber chair serial number list

Here's a breakdown of the Koken serial number system:

To understand the serial numbers, you first need to understand the company. The Koken brand was founded by Ernest Koken, a German immigrant who started his business life in St. Louis, Missouri, by producing hand-painted shaving mugs in the 1870s. Koken reportedly began manufacturing barbers’ chairs in the 1880s, and his chairs were the first to come with attached footrests and headrests.

Finding the serial number on a Koken chair is the first step toward uncovering its history. While precise dating can be challenging, the ranges provided by JustAnswer experts offer a solid foundation for enthusiasts trying to identify if their chair is a turn-of-the-century masterpiece or a later, equally robust, 1930s example. This report is based on available data and

If you see raised, embossed lettering such as , "527N" , or "PAT2" , you are looking at a casting code or patent stamp, not the serial number. Stamped serial numbers will look indented into the metal, while part codes are molded to stick outward. Alternative Ways to Date a Koken Chair

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) If you own one of these pieces, finding

: Sometimes "Koken" and model/part numbers are cast directly into the ornate metal footrest . Visual Clues for Dating

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

If you have acquired a vintage Koken chair—perhaps a classic 52CB or an earlier model—you are likely wondering about its provenance. While a comprehensive, factory-issued list of every serial number does not exist, collectors have compiled accurate approximate dating charts based on serial numbers found on these chairs. Approximate Koken Barber Chair Serial Number Ranges