I know the cardinal rule for all intact antique guns is to leave them untouched (other than very minor maintenance repairs). My question involves an 1803 type 2 Harpers Ferry rifle (1819 on the lock tail) that I have. It’s not exceedingly valuable. It’s been drilled out to 58 caliber smoothbore and converted to percussion - so possibly a changeout during the Civil War and pressed into service, or a later surplus gun drilled out as a smoothie for the civilian market. There is currently not an ounce of finish left anywhere on this walnut stock of this gun (see my pictures of the buttstock). Virtually all unfinished wood at this point.
My question: Given that this is not a HF rifle in untouched original flint condition - but a converted gun in average condition. Do you/would you guys ever put something on the stock of a gun like this with zero finish to help preserve the wood integrity long term? (a wax product maybe? Very thin shellac?). Or am I speaking complete collecting heresy by even bringing up the question?!
I guess I am thinking since it was Gr Grandpa’s musket, and out of fashion when cartridge guns came on board- no one ever considered putting anything on the stock along the way for field use, because it was already demoted to the closet. Your thoughts?
