We had the silly idea that this unit was constructed out of some sort of "black iron" type metal combined with wood.   Well, it was half right.  The metal work was light-weight square tubing, with open welds, and the color, which was light tan, easily rubbed off.  Constructed in China.  The shelves seemed to be some sort of solid wood, yet the edges "crumpled", which means it is a fiber material covered by some sort of veneers.  Pretty much standard furniture wood these days.  The unit does look pretty nice in our nice dim TV room, so it's not a total loss.  If it gets too dinged up (grandchildren), I can always disassemble it, paint it with some nice "black iron" Hammerite expoxy paint, and make some solid pine shelves -- so it can be 'fixed up'....