Vintage Koken Barber Chair Serial Number List -

While there is no single, publicly accessible master "serial number list" for vintage Koken barber chairs today—as many factory records from the original St. Louis-based Koken Barbers Supply Company were lost when it went out of business in the 1950s—serial numbers remain the most reliable way to estimate a chair's production era when used alongside stylistic cues. Collectors typically cross-reference these numbers with known patent years and historical sales records to date their pieces. How to Find Your Koken Serial Number

| Serial Number (Approx.) | Latest Patent Date / Model | Estimated Era | Key Features | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | 1 - 5,000 | Oct 23, 1900 | 1900 - 1905 | Bicycle seat style, cast iron, very rare. | | 12,000 - 20,000 | June 9, 1908 | 1908 - 1915 | High back, ornate porcelain base, footrests with coin trim. | | 45,000+ | Aug 12, 1919 | 1920s | Heavy wood arms, "Koken" cast into the iron back plate. | | Varies (Model 11/12) | 1920s - 1930s | 1920s - 1930s | Distinctive flat armrests, single porcelain footrest. | | High 5-Digits | 1940s Patents | Late 30s - 40s | Transition to "President" model, streamlined metal. | | 6-Digits | Mid-Century | 1950s+ | Thick leatherette, more plastic components, "Imperial" styling. | vintage koken barber chair serial number list

Authentic vintage Koken barber chairs are among the most sought-after antiques in the industry, particularly those featuring Ernest Koken's revolutionary hydraulic lift system While there is no single, publicly accessible master

If you want, I can:

The Base Casting: Check the iron base or the frame near the hydraulic mechanism for stamped digits. Locate and photograph serial/model/patent plates

85,001 – 125,000: c. 1926 – 1935 (Art Deco styling peak). 125,001 – 175,000: c. 1936 – 1945.

Early chairs often feature quarter-sawn oak, walnut, and elaborate wood carvings. By the 1940s and 50s, designs shifted toward more porcelain and chrome with less decorative wood. JustAnswer For more precise research, the Missouri History Museum

Quick Reference: Identification Steps (ordered)

1. Locate and photograph serial/model/patent plates.
2. Note chair styling (Victorian vs. Art Deco vs. postwar).
3. Inspect hydraulics and base – document pump and casting details.
4. Search patent numbers and compare with catalogs/ads.
5. Use collector networks or specialists for confirmation.