1930s-1950s "Hepplewhite" or "Sheraton" influenced desk. Sort of a stripped-down version of the original designs.

The hardware is the original, probably stamped steel plated with brass.

If it's sturdy it's worth fixing up as a usable desk, but it was never top quality, was made for mass retail outlets.

oh wow the hardware is original? what's the deal with the two extra drill holes then/minor overlapping of the hardware with lock? and thank you so much! I paid about 100 bucks for this. If I replaced the hardware and restained it, do you think it would be worth more/ worth the effort? bought it off CL, i'd sell it there too im sure.

ps how do you know, like what defining characteristics, let you know it's a mass retail production? just wanting to learn how to identify these things is all. thanks again!

I think it is/was a very high quality piece. Even the drawer bottoms are paneled, all solid mahogany that I can see. Of course the condition is deplorable and the finish beyond saving. It deserves a fine french polish befitting its bespoke origins. I would think it was made in the UK. Could you take another pic with your "crappy" camera showing the whole piece?
Casey

Walnut or mahogany, I wonder which it is? Here are more pictures

http://imgur.com/a/XjhkY

one of the pictures displays a big crack in the corner of the desk, I wonder how I would go about fixing that? Also is there a way to desk what kind of material the top is? I cant tell if its leather or synthetic. feels like leather sort of but the way its damaged and chipped, doesnt necessarily look like how leather wears?

thanks for all the replies im so excited to solve this mystery

addendum: i dont know if this is the right place to ask this but i wonder if anyone could point me in the right direction to steps to restoring this project. there is some chipping on the drawer tops and obviously that large crack as well as the very damaged "leather"

if you guys need anymore pictures of details please let me know!

I agree with "Chippendale" influenced.

"Mass market hints: the screws holding the brackets on. Unless that's a bad repair. And the "flat" look of it. This was factory made, not cabinetmaker's shop.

I take back what I said about the hardware - you had so many pics with no explanation that I missed the old screw holes.

It does appear to be solid wood, because veneer would have peeled off by now.

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If you carefully stripped, sanded and refinished it you would have a nice-looking vintage piece.

In light of the new pics, I do not know what that is. It is not a traditional desk form. I wouldn't be surprised if it had been cobbled together from spares or cut down out of a larger piece. The lack of legs is particularly troubling. The way the knee space is heavily paneled and moulded means that there was a very nice amount of craft and detail, but desks are not normally built that way with the paneling sitting directly on the floor.
Casey

I agree....the paneling in the knee space and that strange "feet"....abd the leather panel puzzles me>
Wish we could see a stand across the room photo of the whole thing....the general shape.

wish granted. thought i had one of these. if its too dark lmk

Hmm....it's better than I thought from the other pictures....but there is something odd....the top drawers are too deep....and that paneling inside the knee space....??
I don't know what it is or was....but strip it ( I would use a mix of shellac thinner and lacquer thinner and wipe off the old finish. Sand very VERY gently...make any necessary repairs, stain and finish. I would use a shellac finish....new white shellac....and rub with a 10 ought steel wool, and repeat shellac coats. As for the "leather" and the split, I would not attempt to repair...it's old...if you want new....buy new!
But that top puzzles me...it looks older than the rest of the piece.

Idk if you could tell but that same paneling is also on the outside too.

I wonder if the panelling in the kneehole was just added on top of the existing wood in the kneehole. Does the panelling there look like an "add-on"?

No it seems to go seamlessly with the feet and all of the wood looks like it belongs together? I have no idea what I'm talking about.

The top drawers seem deeper than the bottom ones, another clue that this did not start out the way it appears now. It will still benefit by a refinishing, don't be surprised if it is a lot darker once you strip it. (and that would be desirable).
Casey