Featured Attempting to date a dresser, any help is much appreciated!

Hi all! I purchased an old dresser from a moving sale with the intention to sand it, paint it grey and give it new hard wear. Upon initial clean-up I started to get the sense that it was pretty old. My aunt seems to think its from the early 1900's-1920's, and in that case I wouldn't dare do anything that drastic. Here's what I know/assume about it:

It's all wood.
It's fairly light weight.
It was hand made. I think this because not one drawer fits in another slot. It's as if each drawer was tailored to each slot.
It was made in Fort "something" Arkansas from the label on the back of the dresser. And looks like the ending of the company name is Manufactures. But nothing else is legible.
There's also the number 927 1/2 writen in white on the back.
It's has casters that are angled and the wheel is wood from what I can tell.
The drawer faces are attached by Dovetails.
The dresser top is not a solid piece of wood but slats that are attatched with tounge and grooves.
The are no metal tracks or anything of that kind inside the drawers.
It has ornate drawer pulls.

I'm grateful for any advice or information you might have about it.

Thank you!

 

Welcome!
The furniture people will be along...
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Probably Fort Smith.
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They will want to see more photos, large like you have here, of the dovetails and any notable details as well as the label and any writing.
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Sorry, it doesn't look like anything special to me.
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Maybe they can go on a double date with it.

 

I know you may not have the key but I'm just curious . . .

Do you see locking mechanisms for the keyholes on the top two drawers or are the keyholes just for design interest (appearances)?

 

Late teen or 20s is about right. I can't tell if it is already painted or if the finish has just darkened with age. While my preference would be to rejuvenate the finish if not already painted, many would prefer it painted in a lighter color these days. Condition seems to be very good so would be a good candidate to save if not already painted. It is not a fine antique but few such pieces from this era are in such good condition.

I have no problem with painting damaged furniture or that which has already been painted. Others would say paint away since there is not a lot of value there. I just think this paint fad will end at some point and many will wish that such pieces had never been painted. We went through such a fad in the 50s and 60s and many people stripped a lot of painted furniture in the 70s and 80s. I expect this cycle to repeat itself at some point. Meanwhile, the stock of never painted good condition well made old furniture diminishes.

 

I concur. I've saved some unpainted damaged pieces but painted others that were too bad to save as original and some that were literally a pile of sticks but had potential.

 

HOLY CAT PUPPIES!!!!
You HAD to have just made that!!!!

 

(just edited a bit)

 

It does have the locking mechanism, unf

Thank you! I'm pretty sure it's been stained to the darker finish that you see I the picture, I can see inside the drawers where it must have dripped. The more I look at it the more I love it as it. I might take the finish a tad lighter, but overall keep it as is.

 

Now that's funny!!!!

 

Welcome to the boards

 

Hola, and welcome to the Forums!
SIS, your dresser reminds me of my ol' man.

EDIT
Nice to meet you Aguerrero. I'm Gila, and I specialize in making jokes even I don't get, and then fail to get others' obvious jokes. You'll see.

 

It's about 100 years old as others have said; those wooden wheels are a dead giveaway. On the other hand it was machine made and there are tons like it or almost like it. If you want it painted, paint away. These pieces aren't worth a ton even in pristine condition. Brad may chime in if he knows something I'm missing.