As an alternative. How about using 3/8" or even 1/2" nut and bolts counter sunk for the leg attachment with dowel plugs after ? Or even carriage bolts because I think they would compliment the era well.
Just commenting on the fastener side of things I think the bench is beautiful !
I am just about ready to insulate and I have 24" batts most of my voids are 15" which is going to leave me with a bunch of 9" waste pieces.
Can I use two strips of 9" side by side to insulate or would the gap in the middle defeat the insulation ?
I do not mean to sound cheap I am just wondering...