Vintage Koken Barber Chair Serial Number List -

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):

Warning: Do not confuse patent dates with serial numbers. Many Koken chairs have a patent date stamped on them (e.g., PAT. JAN 5, 1892). That is the date the mechanism was patented, not the date your chair was built.

This is the classic "vintage" look most people imagine. These chairs feature heavy oak or mahogany armrests and often a single porcelain footrest. vintage koken barber chair serial number list

  • 1910s–1920s
  • 1920s–1930s
  • 1930s–1940s
  • 1940s–1950s
  • 1950s–1960s

    • Note: These ranges are approximate. Serial formats changed over time and Koken sometimes used model numbers or patent numbers instead of continuous serials.

    Check these locations in order:

    🧼 Clean with mild soap and a soft brush – paint often hides numbers.

    | Model Name / Type | Serial Number Range | Notable Features | |-------------------|---------------------|--------------------| | Standard (No. 1) | 5000–25000 | Round cast base, no armrest cushion | | Elite (No. 2) | 15000–60000 | Tufted back, porcelain armrests | | Koken “Barrier” | 30000–70000 | Split upholstery (hygienic design) | | Streamline (Art Deco) | 50000–100000 | Smooth back, teardrop footrest | | Royal | 80000–130000 | Full chrome trim, adjustable headrest | | Komet | 110000–160000 | Compact base, reclining back | | Superba | 140000–170000 | Large upholstered armrests, wide seat | Before you search for a list, you must find the number

    Founded in 1902 by Charles Koken, the company revolutionized the industry by introducing the hydraulic lift mechanism. Before Koken, barber chairs were often clumsy and manually cranked. Koken brought luxury, durability, and engineering prowess to the barbershop. Because they were built like tanks, thousands survive today, but identifying the exact year of manufacture requires some detective work.

    Chairs from this era began to lose the heavy Victorian ornamentation in favor of streamlined, Art Deco designs. Warning: Do not confuse patent dates with serial numbers

    If you are struggling to find the number, check these three locations: