Wedding Chest Restoration and Repair

Last year I got a couple of pieces from my parents that originally belong to my grandmother. They were going to get rid of them because they didn’t have the space for them. Luckily I convinced them to bring them up to me. I got a small wooden school desk that my dad actually remembers doing homework at (more on that some other time) as well as my grandmother’s wedding chest. My wife and I love the chest and would like to have it in the house but it does need some work. I’ve never done any kind of restoration or repair so I thought I would share some pictures here and see if you all could help me get headed in the right direction.

The right side of the top has been broken off more than once. I just placed it there for the picture and to show that it is actually longer than the rest of the top. I assume this is because it is a breadboard end and the grains go the opposite direction as the rest of the top but I don’t know what to do about it.

Most of the chest is in pretty good shape even though the finish needs some work.

This lock is real simple, but it still works.

A closer view of the damage to the top with the piece removed.

The top an bottom both have cracks that need some attention. I’m not too worried about the bottom because I don’t think it is going anywhere, but I’d like to make sure the one in the top doesn’t get any worse. if possible.

-- Marc, http://www.logicallymarc.com/