ww2 Mosin stock colour?

[points]

While repairing a damaged ww2 mfg Mosin stock I noticed that under the layers of cheap shellac there did not appear to be any stain. The dark colouring was just aging, grease and shellac. Would they have left the wood originally unstained as an economic measure or was there a standard colour?
If so, I won't stain the wood and leave it natural.
Thanks

 

[desporterizer]

No stain, just shellac.

 

[JP]

Original finish was Shellac, either Amber or Reddish in colour.

 

[Coyote Ugly]

 

[ghostntheshell]

I bought some shellac but I'm torn about refinishing my mosin. I think I will because it's a repro sniper already - but there is that naggin milsurp voice in my head that says "this is the way it came..."

 

[points]

I had to repair the stock so it involved sanding it down anyway. The wood is a dark tan colour. Quite light compared to the old finish. It reminds me of Polish m44s I have seen. I would post a photo but my camera is broken.
I may put it back together without doing anything to see how it looks in the natural. If I like it I'll just oil it.