I went to a Birmingham guntrade re-union last Friday 25th, and got talking to some of my old mates (long retired) after the usual mickey taking about my witches brew and alchomy, black cat and pointy hat we all settled down and chewed over stock finishes.
Now here is the surprise.EVERYONE agreed that they used RAW linseed!!!!! When this point was pursued the general concensus was "it was readily available, cheap, and you are messing with its make up and modifying its drying time with dryers in any case" they also felt it gave a better finish as well.