That Dove any day of the week would sell for roughly $800. That is like refinishing furniture or cleaning coins.....ya just don't do it......
First off your wrong in regards to the oil, and all the authenticating bull.
Second off, dish soap cleans oils off anything, and oil is not a chemical by any means. LOL
Third, who cares about a paper, and anyone selling artifacts? If you wouldn't buy this without a paper, you shouldn't be a collector to begin with.
Fourth, your assessment of it's value made me laugh hard.
Fifth, Flint is not wood or metal, and a coat of mineral oil is not the same as taking this dove to a bench grinder.
Sixth, Thank you everyone for you comments. This is a great site, and I enjoy it here, but many need to not give advice on artifacts, chemistry, anthropology, and take everything so literally.