Ugly SVT 40 Stock...mess with it or leave it alone???

[Sentryduty]

(is that the methyl-hydrate recommended by Sentryduty) but try and avoid using ANY abrasive.

Methylated spirits will also dissolve shellac, so you might be able to remove the present wrecked finish with meths alone. But the stock will also have waxy/greasy material in places, so the best bet is stripper followed by meths.

All the same stuff, my terminology is just a little different, a regional thing. "Methyl-hydrate" bottled as such and sold cheaply here in gallon jugs for use as a fuel system anti-freeze, I also use it in a variety of backpacking stoves as fuel. I believe meths is the English term, saying meth over here tends to draw police attention and cause people to distance themselves. LOL. Old shellac will gradually soften and strip away with MH/meths but some stubborn sections may require a bit of gel-based furniture stripper, your mileage may vary.