Vintage Koken Barber Chair Serial Number List Guide

Finding a serial number on a Koken chair requires checking specific locations, as the placement shifted based on the manufacturing decade.

Unfortunately, unlike guitar collectors or car enthusiasts, Koken enthusiasts face a challenge: there is no single, publicly available "master list" of serial numbers published by the original manufacturer. However, by using patent dates, model features, and community data, we can build a "serial number list" framework to help you date your chair.

A "well-maintained" Koken chair, particularly from the 1910s-1930s, can command a high price. However, many collectors choose to restore these chairs. If you are assessing a chair, look for:

Heavy use of chrome plating, rounded edges, and integrated ash trays. The look matches the classic Americana "Main Street" barbershop.

Because no official book exists, collectors rely on shared data. Below is a list of known serial numbers and their associated patent dates/models to help you compare. vintage koken barber chair serial number list

: Explicitly mechanical. They feature manually turned crank wheels or primitive tracking gears to recline the back.

Chairs stamped with a clean, 6-digit number (e.g., 161985 , 161986 ) appear to represent an earlier manufacturing phase.

Because the Koken Company produced chairs for decades, the serial numbers were issued sequentially. While formal production logs are rare, collectors have compiled a reliable timeline based on surviving antique, documented chairs.

Peak Art Deco styling; porcelain bases (rare colors like pale yellow). c. 1936 – 1945 Simplified designs due to material constraints of the era. 175,001 – 225,000 c. 1946 – 1955 Finding a serial number on a Koken chair

Serial numbers are typically 4 to 6 digits long. To locate yours, check these common spots: Under the seat cushion

Check the footrest. Models from this era often display "Koken Companies" rather than "Koken Barbers' Supply Co." The Post-WWII / Modern Era (1940s – 1950s)

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.

Primarily quarter-sawn oak or walnut wood frames with minimal metal cladding. The look matches the classic Americana "Main Street"

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

While there is no "Vintage Koken Barber Chair Serial Number List" PDF to download, the mystery of dating these chairs is part of their charm. By using the reference data in this article, checking for the letter A prefix, analyzing the pump mechanism (pedal vs. lever), and tapping into online collector communities, you can pinpoint the era of your chair with surprising accuracy.

A brass plate was often attached to the back of the chair or the pedestal, stating "Koken Barbers' Supply Company." Key Koken Models and Features

While it's challenging to create an exhaustive list of all Koken serial numbers, we've compiled a general guide to help you identify and date your vintage Koken barber chair: