I just purchased a 30's LC Smith and the finish was wrinkled. I used some methonal to wash it away and found a drab brown stock that had not been stained. It appears to this writer that the classic red brown finish was French polish using Garnet shellac and not stain. This certainly makes sense from a production view point because it would be fast (lower cost). I have also noted that button lac applied as French polish will duplicate the finish on D grade and up Parkers.
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