Dresser question

Salute. Last night friend delivered this treasure. She was ready to dispose it but thought I may save it. So with your blessings I’ll try. It has been in her family for a while, dragged from state to state, cherished, used, abused and ended in garage as storage unit. Drawers are broken, original wheels fail of, there is only one left that she give me. I would like to know what is dresser origin (I think American); approx age. And finally should I restore it or leave it as is. Thanks guys and have a wonderful day. P.s. I noticed square nails inside, bit unusual and the wheel is made of wood, never seen anything like that. Thanks.

 

While you wait for someone who knows something, I have found this discussion of nails to be very interesting. Nails as clues to age (realorrepro.com) I bring this up because you mentioned square headed nails.

 

Thanks much. Wow. This is cool breakfast article. I’ll take a look.

 

Correction please, the nails used to built this dresser are rectangular.

 

Would like to see drawer construction but off-the-cuff would say mid to late 19th century country pine piece.

 

Great article. Learning something new. New expression to add to my vocabulary “to work like a nailer”. Based on this article the dresses may be from 1880s. Let’s wait for our experts. Thanks again Kiko

 

Two drawers have key holes. One still has locking mechanism and other is gone.

 

Thanks for the pics. Agree with my early assessment. Think more likely in the earlier range than late. By 1880, the hand cut dovetails were being phased out even in most country shops.

 

I’ll fix the broken drawers. Is it ok to refinish the dresser? Sand it and put the clear coat? Or leave it as is, just fix the drawers?

 

Any feedback on wooden wheels? I think that is equally cool as nails

 

No harm in refinishing but would avoid sanding. Makes the piece look too new. Really just looks like it needs some cleaning and some finish touch up from my view.

 

Thanks for recommendation. I’ll follow your advice. Appreciate it.

 

Will do. Thanks very much

 

Another correction, each drawer has key hole locker. I’m sure something precious was kept there back in days. I am finishing small child desk project restoration then I’ll start working on this dresser. Thanks very much for your help. And have a great day.

 

This looks like Victorian Cottage furniture to me, C. 1860s that has lost its paint somewhere along the way. Cottage furniture was a smash hit right after the civil war, particularly on the east coast.
Unfortunately, most of this furniture has been stripped as OP dresser has been, originally it would have looked something like this.



An article that sums up this style & offers some history on this form
http://theantiquesalmanac.com/victoriancottagecharm.htm

The good news is, even stripped, these dressers are worth some money, here is an 1880s one that sold on LiveAuctioneers for $150.
https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/28334099_victorian-cottage-pine-dresser-circa-1880

 

Who would have known that this looked so much different when it was created - I would just have ignored it as just a pine dresser. Thanks for sharing this history.

 

Well, the "Knotty Pine" drawer fronts kinda give it away, this simply wasn't done in the 19th century.

 

Had to be covered up, eh? So fascinating.