What is this piece?

i have all the draws just want to refinish it. The name of the company is J.W. Storandt line. I dont know how old it is or what it is. I also have a schwartz sectional system. Any information would be great thank you

 

It's for filing index cards - I've seen them in legal departments of councils for example. Yours looks as though it is a library one. Dewey Decimal and all that. Also called filing catalogues, library filing card cabinets, index card cabinets, and very popular they are too.

 

It is the Library card catalog. As in, before there was such a thing as the gizmo that came after that, and whatever it is that is used now. The card catalog came into being to augment the Dewey decimal system. Look it up in Wikipedia and see troodles of the things at Yale.

 

Sniped by Owned! note to self: Learn to type faster...

 

Most library card systems for the public to use have a rod through each drawer from the front to the back, which goes through a hole in each card, keeping them in the drawer and in order. The rods pull out from the front to let the librarian add new cards in the right order. If these don't have the rod system, it may be a filing system for some other purpose. I don't think the numbers on the drawers fit with a library, but they may have been added by a later user.

 

Good point, elarnia. I didn't zoom the pics on my first visit and though there was a knob below the label holder on the drawer front. Now I see that it's just a pull extension that is part of the label frame.

 

Years ago I had a cabinet like this, made of oak, though mine was about 1/2 the width.

I never knew for sure what the original use was, but assumed it was either for index cards or storing parts.

Welcome to Antiquers, Charles!

 

Personally,Id leave it be. the stenciled numbers and the finish add to the charm of it. These are pretty popular right now.

 

Thanks guys just love the way this stuff holds up. I wouldnt mind levaing it the way it is just want to get some majior dust off of it

 

Just brush the dust off, maybe wipe with an old soft towel, slightly damp. That's a nice plan chest to the left of it.

 

If the sides of the drawers are full height it was probably for parts, if they just come up an inch or so, it was probably for cards. - cheers

 

Good point, Elarnia.