Anyone able to give me info on these dining chairs? Please

I purchased these dining chairs from an auction and was all set to paint them but they felt old, then Idiscovered this stamp under the seat. There are 6 chairs - 2 have arms. The front feet are carved in hooves. They seem a little rougher than a high end but I love the feel of the wood on them and the look. The stamp has an S 6339 ½ WAL and I am not sure what that means. Any help at all would be great - I do not want to paint them if they are very old. ATTACH]53195[/ATTACH

 

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Welcome!
Please go back and edit your photos to the FULL IMAGE option and always do this.

 

French country style,looks like they possibly are walnut. I think they might be from the 1970s-80s ,but they are quite pretty and I wouldnt paint them! recover,absolutely,but no paint. I realize thats the trend now,but it will swing back again.

 

Agree re timing but disagree re paint, if that's what gives you pleasure. Pleasing curves but nothing distinguished about them.

Debora

 

I think they are older than 1970's because they use the old style flat head screws in them, most furniture after 1940 used phillips head screws

 

Not true at all. Phillips screws, while available pretty early were not commonly used in American furniture until the 60s. Even then, a lot of furniture continued to have slotted screws. It really wasn't until the 80s that you began to see almost exclusively Phillips screws used in furniture. European furniture probably did use them a bit earlier.

These chairs look to be imports with a walnut finish (not real walnut). I don't see anything particularly special about them or think they are very old, so paint away if that is the look you want.

 

I have some newish furniture (1990s) with flat head screws

 

I have no clue why anyone uses those for anything any more.

 

I know given the choice I never would ;-) thanks for all the info. I think I am going to make them my own and just love them no matter the age. thanks