Cool little chair , hosman321 .
As to the question about the cracklin' stuff inside your chair ....
I've seen many types of 'fillers/batting/stuffing' inside of old upholstered furniture , including , but not limited to - straw , cedar shavings , wood excelsior , horsehair , paper , human hair , animal hair/wool , cut-up or shredded fabric , grasses & other vegetable matter , shredded plastic .....
Several of these types of 'stuffing' get crisp , after some time .
The fun (& icky) part is opening them up & seeing what's makin' all the noise !