a real old looking dresser

I know nothing about furniture but this one looks very old and unusual. What kind of angles are needed for IDing this piece? I bought it because it looked nice, not as an investment or anything, just for esphetics, And it was cheap. If I am at a wrong forum for old furniture, any better suggestions?

 

Be sure to check back. People come and go all day.

Looks like pine. Pretty standard design. Could be mid to late 1800s.
Wait for
@James Conrad @Ghopper1924 @verybrad
to chime in.

 

heheheee, that was quick !!

 

Here are more pics. Again, if another picture is needed, tell me what I need to show. What is the significance of the back?

 

Knapp joint on drawer construction dates your dresser to 1870-1900, also called pin & cove dovetail.
Someone put Chippendale pulls on drawer fronts but they are not original to the piece.

 

When you show a piece of furniture, showing all sides and closeups of joint details really help to identify the age.

 

I'm betting it was painted originally and somebody skinned it. Still is a better piece of furniture than anything you can buy new, so...

 

View attachment 267796

 

Where are you located @dresser ?
Nice looking older chest. Maybe a 'country' piece.
Look forward to seeing it once you have it cleaned up.
There are some good YouTube videos on restoration.

 

I found this in Vestal, NY. I'll check out YouTube, thanks.Interestingly, while the locks are metallic, the upper part which receives lock's tongue when the drawer is locked is just a deep cut in wood. Who would need to lock their clothes?

 

Various personal items were often stored in a chest of drawers.

 

Yep, pin and cove joints ca. 1880s. Pine. The skirt/valence looks German; at least it would be around here. Don't know if there are folks of German descent around Vestal, N.Y.

 

Vestal, NY is very close to Pennsylvania border. Pennsylvania at that time was all German speaking. Even a saying "Pennsylvania Deutsch" which was mis-heard and miss-interpreted by English speakers into "Pennsylvania Dutch".

 

Those Knapp joined drawer boxes were only made for 30 years, 1870-1900, when they finally figured out how to machine traditional dovetails in 1900 & Knapp joinery went nite-nite.
Still, it increased production tremendously, from an average 20 per day per man to 250 per day per man, a big difference.

 

Why is a single hole left above the Knapp joint in the back of a draw? All three draws have that feature so it is likely to be intentional.

 

Because the backboard of the drawer box is not as wide as the side boards

 

You may be missing the tongue receiver in the upper part. Gravity at work!