Some time back I acquired this wonderful captain’s chair, which has been dated in the 1890-1910 range. Early Milwaukee Chair Company item, finely done. I had removed the old worn finish to see the underlying wood grain (only tung oil on it now), and it appears dark reddish through and through, but various panels are darker than others, as seen in the photos. I was thinking the wood might be cherry, but would love to hear more informed opinions – thanks very much!
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Wow, she’s a beauty! I have some ideas of what was used, walnut and mahogany perhaps. But I’m waiting to hear from others here more knowledgeable than I. Congratulations on finding such a nice piece.
Looks like walnut to me.
Thanks @MillstShop and @CharlieFurnituremaker .. another woodworking forum has also suggested walnut as well.
I think it's a mix of woods. As Bruce Hoadley points out in his landmark book on wood identification, it's often difficult to identify based on a partial photo of the surface grain... Probably walnut on the seat (although the center piece looks very different) and perhaps the back/arms, but the legs look very much like mahogany. I suspect the original finish was dyed/stained to make it all very uniform in appearance.
Regardless of what wood was used, it's a beautiful chair!