Koken Barber Chair Parts
Koken Barber Chairs By Year
Koken Barber Chair Serial Numbers List
Koken Barber Chair 528n
Koken Barber Chair Foot Rest
Koken Barber Chair Serial Numbers

Antique collectors love Koken barber chairs due to their remarkable style and superior quality. They were state-of-the-art in their hay days, being the first to feature a hydraulic lift for easy handling. The technology wasn't only convenient for barbers, it got the customers engaged too. Overall, it was good for business.

Hello- I just purchased a Koken barber chair (#736 I believe) The number below the seat cushion is A250165. Could anyone tell me what that number is (Serial number maybe)? The chair is in good shape, all original. There is only one small tear on the right side seat cushion. There is some rust on it, though. Any ideas on what to use to remove.

Origins

Antique Koken Barber Chairs. From the late 1800s to the 1950s, antique Koken barber chairs were manufactured out of St. Company founder Ernest Koken was responsible for many updates to barber chairs including reclining barber chairs, chairs that revolved, and the first pedal style hydraulic lift chair.
Antique Koken Barber Chairs. From the late 1800s to the 1950s, antique Koken barber chairs were manufactured out of St. Company founder Ernest Koken was responsible for many updates to barber chairs including reclining barber chairs, chairs that revolved, and the first pedal style hydraulic lift chair.

In the 1890's, Ernest Koken had already began working on his hydraulic lift barber chair design. Ernest, a German citizen, was already a reputable individual since 1874 (at age 19). But back then, he worked for a factory selling custom china shaving mugs. When he was just a young boy, Ernest would look at prototype designs as a pastime activity. He was an engineer by heart. It's no wonder that in 1881, he patented his reclining chair design. A decade later (in 1892), he patented his hydraulic chair. If you notice the modern barber chairs these days, most of them are hydraulically powered. This is all thanks to Ernest Koken.

Koken Barber Chair Parts

At The Top
When Ernest died in 1907 due to heart failure, his son, Walter went on to run Koken Barber's Supply Company based in St. Louis. Not long after, the company had become the leading barber supply business in the United States. They didn't just sell barber chairs. They provided just about any barber supply as well, including lather brushes, razors, scissors, mirror cases, tool cases and many more. The building still exists today, bounded by Ohio, Sidney and Victor Streets, and alley of Texas Avenue. The National Register of Historic Places in St. Louis, Missouri lists the location as a historic district.
Downfall
The company went bankrupt in the 1950's due to stiff competition. There were a lot of competing brands that claimed to have similar or better features at discounted prices. Add to that, the times were changing. In the early 60's long hair was all the rage, thanks to John, Paul, George and Ringo. Barbers didn't exactly know how to cut long hair. It turned out that the guys wanted a hairstyle instead of a haircut. In 1969, the Takara Belmont Company acquired Koken along with its numerous patents.

Legacy Numbers

Up to this day, the Koken brand is still being endorsed by Takara Belmont. In 2011, they released the Koken Legacy Barber Chair with prices starting at 4,700 dollars. The brand has come a long way. It definitely wasn't priced that high in the early 1900's, but it goes to show how reputable these chairs are. The antique units are even more pricey, selling for nearly 7,000 bucks for a fully restored chair.

Koken Barber Chairs By Year

Koken Barber Chair Serial Numbers List

Koken is unquestionably THAT antique barber chair.Hello!
I noticed a good many posting about old Koken barbers chairs on this forum. I just got one and had some questions. First Here are some pictures of the chair:

Koken Barber Chair 528n

As you can see, the chair is in REALLY good condition already. It made a gurgling noise when I cranked it halfway up, so I added some 30 weight oil and that works now (although I initially overfilled it and it started leaking oil). The chair itself is rock solid with little corrosion. But I did have some questions which the pictures will hopefully be helpful to you in answering:

Koken Barber Chair Foot Rest

Koken Barber Chair Serial Numbers

There does not seem to be any 'brake' on the chair as far as stopping sideways spin is concerned. Pulling back on the handle does nothing and looking at it, it doesn't seem like it ever did. Does this model come with a braking or locking mechanism?
Some of the porcellain is worn dull, it there anything short of getting it recoated to making it shine again?
The green fabric is in excellent condition. So good, I can't imagine it's original - but it doesn't seem to be recent. Does anyone know if the original fabric was leather or a type of vinyl?
As with most old chairs, the part that received the most abuse - the footrests, have had most of the nickel plating wear off. Has anyone tried using something like Dupli-Color Silver Engine Paint on it as a stopgap measure? I would think it would display OK and would stop rust. And if you wanted to have it re-nickeled, removing the paint would be the least difficult part of the job? I would not think it would reduce the collectible value as it is reversible. Thoughts?
Note the uniform dull grey color of the sides of the headrest. What was the original color and texture? It doesn't seem like it was ever nickeled. Is that original?
You might be able to see in the photo that the material on the wooden dowel used to provide friction to feed the headrest covers is cracked. It seems somewhat rubbery. Does anyone know exactly what that material is? What would be a suitable replacement? Does anyone know if the towel 'cartridge' used in these units is still made?
There does not appear to be any mechanism that controls the tilt of the chair. Seems like the person has to lean back or forward and that the movement is just controlled by friction of the bar inside a clamp. Is that the case or am I missing something?
Last question....how do you remove the pad from the back of the top footrest? I don't see any screws to remove it.

I know that I have asked a LOT of questions. Anyone who can answer even one of them has my sincere appreciation.