Features Of American Civil War Furniture

A feature of Homestead Furniture (which sometimes you still see today) is the vertical leg with an attached foot. A special type of construction (mortise and tenon) construction was used here because the vertical grain of the leg was mortised into the foot, which usually had the wood grain running horizontal. The mortise and tenon joint is time less. In the 1800’s, they did not have the central heating and cooling that we have today. This type of joint allows the wood to swell and contract without cracking. As you know, quality built furniture usually has mortised and tenon joinery. We use the mortise and tenon joint in all of our kits where strength is needed.

Brass Hardware

Another common trait is brass hinges and hardware. Why? Because soft brass can be made with common woodworking tools. In the more well to do homesteads, brass and Iron were both found.

Materials of Solid Hardwood and Softwood

A feature of American Civil War Furniture is solid wood construction. No veneers here. Just solid woods such as oak, maple, walnut, cypress, poplar and pine.  Most furniture from the civil war furniture was finished with clear or transparent finish such as shellac. We recommend finishing your furniture with a polyurethane type material.  For the purist, shellac is always available.

Tends to be Extremely Functional

Most of the furniture had one purpose.

Simple in Design

The designs are simple and straight forward.  No real fancy curves or intricate carving. This was furniture made on the farm or homestead with simple tools.