I used a fe times good quality shellac (flakes that I mix myself with its solvent when I need it) to give Mosin Nagant rifles some needed care. I still consider this "maintenance" because: If the original shellac is gone in some spots, then the wood is vulnerable. So recoating with new shellac (right on top of the old one, cleaned though) is actually quite a simple operation and yields good results in my experience,

Lou