I think the red oil was more popular than the varnish at Winchester. The first varnish that Winchester used had a problem of eggshelling and the people at Winchester didn't really care too much for it. I once had the pleasure of talking with John Durkin on the phone. He was a checkerer for Winchester in the Custom Shop. He told me that Ted Williams once came into the Custom Shop, complaining about the varnish chipping on his Model 21. John told him that what he really needed was some of their red oil and if he waited a few minutes, he would try to sneak and get some for him while no one was looking. And right then, Ted Williams started screaming, "Hey!! We need some of that fu--ing red oil over here!!" John said he about had a heart attack and thought he would get fired. He had a few good stories he shared with me and I really enjoyed talking woth him. But, the red oil from John Kay should be the original from Winchester. So, you might want to try it. Good luck.
