Lloyd’s Woodworking · Hudson, Massachusetts
By Lloyd’s Woodworking Inc.
Should I Save the Original Hardware on Old Furniture?
DIRECT ANSWER:
Yes, original or period hardware should generally be documented and preserved until its significance is understood. Pulls, knobs, hinges, locks, backplates, keys and other fittings may contribute to appearance, function, originality and future restoration decisions.
DON’T THROW THE OLD PULLS IN A BOX AND FORGET WHICH DRAWER THEY CAME FROM.
PHOTOGRAPH HARDWARE IN PLACE
Before removal, photograph:
Location
Orientation
Spacing
Backplates
Fasteners
Relationship to surrounding finish
LABEL REMOVED HARDWARE
Identify:
Drawer
Door
Side
Location
Keep components together.
WHY HARDWARE GETS LOST
During renovation or refinishing, small components can easily become:
Mixed
Discarded
Misidentified
Separated from the piece
REPLACEMENT HARDWARE MAY NOT FIT
Differences can include:
Hole spacing
Backplate dimensions
Screw size
Lock configuration
Proportion
Appearance
HARDWARE MAY HAVE BEEN REPLACED BEFORE
Not every old-looking pull is original.
Construction evidence, photographs or other references may help.
Frequently asked questions
SHOULD OLD KNOBS BE REPLACED JUST BECAUSE THEY ARE TARNISHED?
Not automatically.
CAN MISSING HARDWARE BE REPLACED?
Potentially, depending on the component.
SHOULD HARDWARE BE REMOVED BEFORE REFINISHING?
That depends on the project, but its location should be documented first.
DOES ORIGINAL HARDWARE GUARANTEE HIGH VALUE?
No.