If your chair relies on a mechanism where you must manually spin the chair around to change its height, it dates before . If it features a side pump handle lever that lifts the seat straight up, it is part of Koken's landmark hydraulic patent era. Market Value Estimates based on Condition
Disclaimer: These dates are approximate and based on market research. Early, handmade, and transitional models might vary. Serial Number Range Estimated Production Era Key Characteristics c. 1895 – 1905 Very early hydraulic models, ornate cast iron. 25,001 – 50,000 c. 1906 – 1915 Popular early 20th-century models (e.g., Congress). 50,001 – 85,000 c. 1916 – 1925 Introduction of refined mechanisms. 85,001 – 125,000 c. 1926 – 1935 Art Deco influences, polished aluminum parts. 125,001 – 175,000 c. 1936 – 1945 Late pre-war/war era; robust, utilitarian designs. 175,001 – 225,000 c. 1946 – 1955 Postwar production; sleeker, modernized features. 225,001 and higher c. 1956 – 1960s Later models; simplified, functional designs. 3. How to Verify Your Chair (Design Clues) vintage koken barber chair serial number list
Ernest Koken patented the first successful hydraulic lift barber chair in 1892. Chairs from this era feature massive, ornate cast-iron bases with elaborate scrollwork, filigree, and early porcelain enamel finishes. If your chair relies on a mechanism where
To identify the age of a vintage Koken barber chair, you can cross-reference the stamped serial number against known production runs. While exact annual records are rare, the following sequence provides a reliable ballpark for manufacturing years. Serial Number Range Estimated Production Era Key Era Developments 10,000 – 25,000 c. 1895 – 1905 Introduction of first hydraulic models (1892 patent) 25,001 – 50,000 c. 1906 – 1915 Expansion into high-volume production 50,001 – 85,000 c. 1916 – 1925 Transition to ornate oak and cast iron designs 85,001 – 125,000 c. 1926 – 1935 Opening of the Koken Foundry (1926) for mass production 125,001 – 175,000 c. 1936 – 1945 Art Deco influence and wartime production shifts 175,001 – 225,000 c. 1946 – 1955 Post-war manufacturing before company closure 225,001 and higher c. 1956 – 1960s Final production before the Koken name was sold How to Find Your Serial Number Early, handmade, and transitional models might vary
Vintage Koken Barber Chair Serial Number List & Dating Guide