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Just one old guy's opinion, but . . . it depends.
You say that you don't want to "alter the stock". If by that you mean you don't want to alter the original patina, that ship may have already sailed. IMO, an unmolested 136 year old stock will be darker than what I see in your pictures due to exposure to the atmosphere, sunlight, and normal handling, so I'd say your stock has already been "cleaned" at some point. (Dick Hosmer has probably handled more trapdoors than most and I would certainly welcome his correction if I'm wrong.) Still, it looks like a nice stock.
If you truly just want to remove dirt and grime, the rule is "Go Slow". Depending on how much "crud" is on it, you might be surprised at what a gentle wipe down with water and a mild soap will accomplish. Beyond that, I agree with free1954 and Emri - odorless mineral spirits and a soft cloth are normally all that's needed. Boiled linseed oil rubbed in with a soft cloth may also remove some grime. Early on, I tried using denatured alcohol, acetone, lacquer thinner, and was always disappointed with the result. They removed far more of the finish than I had intended.
Still, as I said, it depends . . .
Merrian-Webster defines patina as "a surface appearance of something grown beautiful especially with age or use". "Beauty" is subjective. So whether that means lightly cleaned or completely stripped & refinished, make it beautiful in your eyes.
BTW, your stock's interior wood has survived, unfinished, for 136 years with no apparent ill effects. Brush it off with a dry toothbrush and let it be.
JMHO
You say that you don't want to "alter the stock". If by that you mean you don't want to alter the original patina, that ship may have already sailed. IMO, an unmolested 136 year old stock will be darker than what I see in your pictures due to exposure to the atmosphere, sunlight, and normal handling, so I'd say your stock has already been "cleaned" at some point. (Dick Hosmer has probably handled more trapdoors than most and I would certainly welcome his correction if I'm wrong.) Still, it looks like a nice stock.
If you truly just want to remove dirt and grime, the rule is "Go Slow". Depending on how much "crud" is on it, you might be surprised at what a gentle wipe down with water and a mild soap will accomplish. Beyond that, I agree with free1954 and Emri - odorless mineral spirits and a soft cloth are normally all that's needed. Boiled linseed oil rubbed in with a soft cloth may also remove some grime. Early on, I tried using denatured alcohol, acetone, lacquer thinner, and was always disappointed with the result. They removed far more of the finish than I had intended.
Still, as I said, it depends . . .
Merrian-Webster defines patina as "a surface appearance of something grown beautiful especially with age or use". "Beauty" is subjective. So whether that means lightly cleaned or completely stripped & refinished, make it beautiful in your eyes.
BTW, your stock's interior wood has survived, unfinished, for 136 years with no apparent ill effects. Brush it off with a dry toothbrush and let it be.
JMHO
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