Wood parts to silver flatware

[klkirkman]

This is slightly off topic, but related.

I am making replacement olive wood bowls and fork times for an antique sterling silver flatware salad serving set. The pieces have hollow sterling handles into which wood shafts and inserted.
Does anyone know what finish was used on these wood parts when sold new ? Olive wood has distinctive streaking/striping in wood grain as shown in original catalogs and I would like to preserve the appearance of this contrast so BLO concerns me.

Karl