BLO, boiled linseed oil. Try to rub some in to the bad area and see if you have done yourself any good.

I use mild soap and no abrasive, Murphys Oil and a well work wash cloth mostly.  That saves the platina clen but still looks old.

When done you can either rub some oil in or just wax the stock. If oil is required some of the new refined products like Watco work very well.

Don't tell any collectors you cleaned it, they like Attic dirty.

Boats

I had a really grimy 1868 Trapdoor Springfield.  I followed the recommendations on the Springfield site and cleaned the stock with gentle applications of half and half turpentine and boiled linseed oil rubbed on and off with a clean, rough cotton cloth.  I used just a touch of 0000 pumice where it was really grimy.  Just enough to get the grime without removing the patina.  When clean I used multiple applications of boiled linseed oil well rubbed in by hand and allowed to dry between coats until I was satisfied the finish had been restored to original condition.  I also believe that Murphy's oil soap, as recommended by Boats, followed by boiled linseed oil should do the job just as well or, perhaps better.

Jerry Liles

The Martini's that are coming out the Nepal Cache are mostly black and look like they are varnished.  They freshen up real well and show some nice figure with just a clean up with boiled linseed oil.  Apply the BOL   liberaly so the stock is wet.  Rub it around with you hand until you can feel "Heat".  keep the BOL runny and wet..  This will soften the dirt and grime.  Wipe the BOL off with a cloth and apply some more.  For particualulary thick or hard spots use some  0000 steel and wipe with the grain. Don't scrub with the steel wool, wipe.