I re-finished an Olympian Grade .30/06 for a friend. He wanted an identical finish to the original - ie: like a Grande Piano.

That is what he got and paid for - the finish looked a mile deep - came out perfect, like a mirror, and hard. I waited 2 days between each thin coat to make sure they were EACH hard and dry.

Due to the depth of the grain in that soft but lovely Claro stock, it took a total of 56 coats of oil and over 6 months to finish. There were only 4 thin coats over the top of the wood's high spots, polished with rouge and oil. A brilliant finish if done correctly.

Of course, Browning used a dip of Varethane, Polyurethane, some form of plastic or epoxy.

It is possible to make a duplicate finish if you take your time, is what I am saying.