Supposedly oven cleaner (lye based) is harder on wood than need be. I have used acetone on some shotgun stocks and it will pull soaked in oil and old finish off effectively, but be careful as it is about the most flammable thing that you can buy. I am a fan of boiled linseed oil, but walnut oil is sometimes available at the grocery store by the salad dressing and it is supposed to be good for walnut wood or so I hear. A single coat of tru-oil cut with paint thinner would be the most durable finish for a shooter I would think.
I would be interested to hear thoughts on preserving the integrity of the wood versus preserving historical patina.
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