When restoring a chair, Carefully use chemical paint strippers or brass wire brushes around the base rim to reveal hidden digits without eroding the historical stampings that prove your chair's authenticity.
If you are struggling to find a 4-to-6 digit stamped number, check these common locations:
Do you have a or a photo of the footrest ? This can help narrow down the exact model series, such as the famous Congress or Professional lines. Determine Koken Chair Age by Serial Number - Expert Guide
On earlier models (late 1800s to 1910s), identification numbers were often stamped directly into the structural frame components. vintage koken barber chair serial number list
If the serial number is missing or illegible, stylistic features can narrow the date:
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The following serial number ranges are approximate estimates used by appraisers to date Koken chairs: 1 – 999: When restoring a chair, Carefully use chemical paint
The following list provides specific serial numbers for various Koken barber chair models:
The footrest is the most obvious visual identifier. Most Koken chairs feature the name "KOKEN" or "KOKEN COMPANIES" cast directly into the metal filigree of the footrest. Patent dates are frequently stamped on the underside of the footrests or the leg support bars. The Headrest Bracket
Restoring a Koken chair is a labor of love. The process often involves complete disassembly, sandblasting and replating of steel parts, and reupholstering. One restorer of 18 chairs notes the joy of bringing these "works of art and engineering back to life". Common mechanical issues include hydraulic systems that fail to hold a chair's height, often requiring cleaning or part replacement. Determine Koken Chair Age by Serial Number -
If the serial plate is missing, use these :
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