I once owned a Merkel 47E of that era, a GSI import.

As I remember, the finish was linseed oil or a linseed oil based product.

I would caution to not put a varnish topcoat over linseed oil.

Either strip that crap off first, or just use linseed like I did with mine.

Beware that linseed takes a good long time to dry, if it ever really does.


"The price of good shotgunnery is constant practice" - Fred Kimble