Sal---I agree that the modern finishing oils are or can be quite beautiful and in many ways superior.

I think the look most manufacturers have gone to recently is more a function of the style or the fad if you will. Matte is in style for many wood guns or the gloss on the laminate stock (which I do not like at all but many seem to like it).

Simply stated: Matte is "in vogue" for many nonlaminate guns and then you also have the high gloss urethane 870 BDL look. Both are FAST to achieve, as well.

However, in restoring a fine shotgun or double gun, or even the finish that some of us would put on a new gun would be one that looks much more like the finish on old guns. (Which is quite different from the TWO popular current directions in finishes on new guns).

I saw some very expensive double rifles newly made, and quite frankly I did NOT like the look of the finish at all. It looked like decoupage...
over a nice piece of wood.

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