I am working on a set of dining room chairs preparing them to be reupholstered.

I am toning the color with Behlen Jet spray.

While working on an arm chair, I noticed one of the arms is loose. The arm had been repaired previously.

I looked closer and noticed on the front and side of the arm where it joins the seat are 2 recessed finishing nails.

What would be the best way to repair?

I am told the chairs are from the 1950's.

The seat will cover about an inch of the arm to the inside so a repair could be made there and cosmetically covered.

Here are some photos:

View of arm

View of front of arm-you can see small hole with finishing nail in groove