[rfuerst911sc]

A few weeks ago I posted on here that I had picked up a Mauser rifle built in 1899. Today I disassembled her to start really looking her over. I am amazed how simple a design it is an how easy she came apart. I pulled the bolt action out, looked down the barrel and was quite surprised it was fairly clean. Ran a brush thru her then some swabs with CLP and it cleaned up very well. I then turned to the stock. This stock very well could be the original but I have no way of knowing for sure. I took a rag with CLP on it and rubbed her down, a good amount of crud came off and I found some hidden shine . What kind of finish would this have if it really is circa 1899 ? It is shiny on the forearm and from the cheek area to the butt, but the area where you generally carry a rifle in the center has no gloss. I'm sure there is all kinds of skin oils and who knows what in that area. Color is generally a reddish oak or mahogany to my eye but no expert. My guess is the finish might be shellac. I do not want to completely restore this rifle but give her a good clean up. So what should I do to the stock ? Can I rub it down with 0000 steel wool with some oil ? Wood polish ? Also there is a hairline crack where the receiver/trigger mount that I can spread apart with force. Is wood glue what I should use or an epoxy or ? I would think wood glue might flow down into the crack better than epoxy. Any advice is appreciated.