I ran into these a couple years back when I had a Manurhin P-1.
Unfortunately, the whole gun was a little too French for me, so I traded it back to the FFL I got it from.
Sort of like an inch FAL or a 5.56 AK, there was something not "true" about it, a P-38/P-1 should be German.
These are most likely 40 years old.
I don't want to stain them, I sort of like the light color, just looking for something durable and that would seal the wood.
I've done a lot with linwax on milsurp stocks, pretty happy with the results on that, but it is really messy, and don't think it'll work well with the checkering.
Suggestions?
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Pistol they'll go on, 1981. Really nice condition, clean and appears like new.
I got it with a leather holster, found the presentation case on GB, everyone needs at least one "box gun".
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For durability, looks, and ease of application it's really hard to beat polyurethane, either full gloss or satin.

To apply I thin the first coat almost to 50/50 to get good penetration.
Then thin later coats to good brushing consistency.
A light rub with a Scotchbrite pad between fully dried coats on the smooth areas gives a smoother finish.
You can spray the last coat with an airbrush for a very smooth and even coat.

For the checkering, brush a light coat of the first thinned coat seal to it.  After that keep it out of the checkering unless you want a fuller coating overall