My first Merkel, a 47E was finished with some kind of crappy varnish that I removed and then oiled the stock.

My second Merkel, a 1620EL had a mediocre finish on it and the first time I hunted in the rain it came off on my gloves. I stripped it and put an oil finish on it.

I now have two beautiful Merkels both of which came with shite on the stocks.