I don't mean to take over a thread, but I'd like to know why when you take apart some old double, you never seem to find a trace of any finish on the vulnerable covered wood parts, under the butt plate or fore end, or on the head of the stock or the wood surrounding the action. I understand even back then, time was money, but you'd think a few gun makers would put some varnish or lacquer or boiled linseed oil to protect unseen wood.

And if they didn't protect those hidden wood surfaces back then, can we do any better today?

And should we?

This could be an interesting thread. Sorry if I butted in, but it's one of the mysteries of old double guns that's always fascinated me.