Vintage Institutional Folding Chairs – Lot of 38 (Mid-Century, Heavy-Duty Steel)

The Historical Society of Frankford (Philadelphia) is offering 38 matching vintage institutional folding chairs, c. 1950s–1970s. These are heavy-gauge steel folding chairs with brown padded vinyl seats and gray enamel frames, typical of school, church, and civic-hall use.

Details

Construction: tubular steel frame; welded horizontal back rods

Seat: padded vinyl over steel pan

Finish: gray institutional enamel

Condition: structurally sound; normal cosmetic wear consistent with age (scuffs, paint wear)

Quantity: 38 chairs  (one lot preferred)

Use Cases

Event venues / overflow seating

Churches and community centers

Theater or film props

Reuse, refurbishment, or resale

Location

Historical Society of Frankford

1507 Orthodox St

Philadelphia, PA 19124

Local pickup preferred

Contact

Michael McCormick

mike@thsof.org

216-650-3929

Research Notes

This appears to be a mid-century institutional folding chair, most likely manufactured by The Clarin Manufacturing Company (later Clarin by Hussey Seating).

Identification Features

Several details are characteristic of Clarin production from the 1950s–1970s:

Tubular steel frame with rounded rectangular backrest loop.

Five horizontal back rods welded across the rear frame.

Stamped steel seat pan underside with perimeter lip and central reinforcement well.

Riveted hinge brackets at the seat pivot points.

Curved rear leg brace forming a U-shaped support.

Institutional gray enamel finish (very typical of Clarin’s school/church lines).

Brown vinyl-over-padded seat panel mounted to the metal pan.

The hinge geometry and the shape of the rear leg yoke are particularly consistent with Clarin's Series 100/110 all-steel folding chairs, which were widely used in schools, churches, and civic halls.

Likely Model

Most consistent with:

Clarin Series 100 (or 110) All-Steel Folding Chair Production era: c. 1955–1975

These were extremely common in:

School auditoriums

Church basements

Fraternal halls

Community centers

The example appears to be a vinyl-padded seat version (as opposed to the fully upholstered or hardboard-seat variants).