Posted by Drew Hause on July 13, 2018, 8:54 am, in reply to "First LC Questions"
No. 00, 0, Field & Ideal grade guns were finished with a product very similar to Zinsser Bulls-Eye 3 Pound Cut Amber Shellac. Higher grade guns received an oil finish. If your Smith has an oil finish, Bro. David has a tutorial here http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/17541668
If shellac, you can darken the ding with Old English Scratch Cover (a little at a time until the right color), then protect the area with Goddard's Cabinet Makers Wax; Lemon Oil & Bees Wax or Johnson Paste Wax.