Antique Secretary Desk

[IHC656]

I just bought this to restore and use as a display case for my metal detecting finds. The metal holding the glass is lead. And I do have the glass for the other door. Unsure of the age of this. The manufacturer is still in business. Made in a city just South of me.

 

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[IHC656]

First step removed original glass and replace with 12x16 inch glass until I can find a way to repair the original glass. (Glass not yet installed)
To try and keep the patina I found matching stain to color in all the chips, scratches, etc.
Replaced some missing screws and still need to renail the drawer bottoms.

 

[DizzyDigger]

That's a beautiful piece of history...if only it could talk.

 

[pepperj]

There's folks that do stain glass can probably repair the piece for you.
The desk is looking better cleaned up.

 

[ToddsPoint]

That’s a great project.👍🏻 My mother restored old furniture, some that seemed only good for firewood that she brought back from the grave. I restore old guns but have never tried furniture.

 

[IHC656]

Added some glass until I can find someone to redo the original glass. And tacked the drawer bottoms. Plus one glass door frame needed a little TLC.
Think I will will be adding one or two more shelves. Thinking of adding some LED lights inside also.

 

[ToddsPoint]

This is a secretary my mother refinished. It came out of my great grandmother’s house in Fountain Co IN. It was painted white multiple times and none of the other granddaughters wanted it. She also got an oak claw ball table, also painted white.

 

[ConceptualizedNetherlandr]

That's a beautiful piece of history...if only it could talk.

I dunno ... antique secretary is a bit too far for me

 

[russau]

Gary that is a beautiful restoration your mother did ! I have my Grandmother's secretary that still has the old patina that isn't messed up like some pieces are by now ! I've restored the wood on a Dunkin- Fife couch and had it reupholstered in the original type of Fabrick that was on it after I was done with the wood !

 

[russau]

IHC656 your secretary's upper cabinet needs (obviously) to be re-laminated .you can find thin venerer of that wood in sheets to repair that damage. and the stain to replace it's original color / patina can be duplicated on old scrap wood of the original piece. It should be a stand out piece when your done with it and have the new stained glass in ! Lost pieces of stained glass can be fabricated by a crafty person .

 

[IHC656]

IHC656 your secretary's upper cabinet needs (obviously) to be re-laminated .you can find thin venerer of that wood in sheets to repair that damage. and the stain to replace it's original color / patina can be duplicated on old scrap wood of the original piece. It should be a stand out piece when your done with it and have the new stained glass in ! Lost pieces of stained glass can be fabricated by a crafty person .

Thanks.
As fun note I found that my desk was made between 1903 & 1927.

 

[IHC656]

 

[IHC656]

Ok I made 2 more shelves. I think it turned out ok.
And have LED lights I may install inside.
As I mentioned earlier I bought this piece of furniture to display my metal detecting finds.

 

[ArfieBoy]

Very nice! Thanks for sharing.