Vintage Koken Barber Chair Serial Number List Jun 2026

c. 1895 – 1905 (First hydraulic models). 25,001 – 50,000: c. 1906 – 1915. 50,001 – 85,000: c. 1916 – 1925.

: High-relief filigree metal often featuring the words "Koken Barber's Supply Co." or "St. Louis" cast directly into the metal. The Koken Barber Chair Is as Handsome as It Is Useful

Enhanced hydraulic mechanisms; early quarter-sawn oak frames and basic metal accents. c. 1916 – 1925

: On early-to-mid 20th-century hydraulic models, look down at the heavy cast-iron base mechanics. Numbers are often stamped directly on the top lip of the oil reservoir cylinder. vintage koken barber chair serial number list

Note: If your chair lists a patent date of 1892, it does not mean it was built in 1892. Koken used that successful 1892 hydraulic pump design well into the 1910s and 1920s. 4. Collector Tips for Verification

Unlocking the History of Your Antique Koken Barber Chair If you’ve recently acquired an antique Koken chair, you’re holding a piece of history. Founded by Ernest Koken in St. Louis, Missouri, the revolutionized the industry with the first hydraulic-lift chair in 1892. Determining the exact age of these "thrones" can be a challenge since many factory records were lost or scattered when the company was purchased by Takara Belmont in 1970.

If the serial number is illegible, you can use these "era markers" to date your chair: Determining age of antique Koken barber chair 1906 – 1915

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.

: Features Ernest Koken’s patented single-lever design. Moving it left, right, forward, or backward raises, lowers, and reclines the chair simultaneously.

Because precise factory logs no longer exist, collectors rely on sequential data cross-referenced from surviving period catalogs and patent applications. The Koken Barber Chair Is as Handsome as It Is Useful : High-relief filigree metal often featuring the words

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.

Later restoration shops or the Koken company itself sometimes refurbished older chairs, adding a secondary tag that alters the original serial context.

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).

The most reliable way to establish a baseline age is by looking for stamped patent dates. A chair cannot be older than the latest patent date stamped onto its frame.

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.