'starnes1987' - Welcome to the KCA Forum. That is an interesting Danish Krag carbine in your family.

The '1912 date' may actually indicate the carbine model or type. My references suggest the "R" in front of #2707 denotes 'Rytterkarabin' (Cavalry Carbine).

The Danes had a Cavalry Carbine model of 1912 and a model of 1923. They also had rather similar Engineer and Pioneer carbines. (Apparently, some of the Danish Cavalry carbines were fitted to take a bayonet).

At least, some of the Danish Cavalry Carbines have a 'stud' on the left side of the stock, just above the trigger-guard. This 'stud' slid into a leather carrier, so the cavalryman could carry the carbine positioned on his back.

Your father-in-laws's Danish carbine does not look that bad to me in your photos. Refinishing this Arm would destroy its value. You should preserve what is original (and not try to make it bright and shiny).

Hopefully, you have the parts (trigger-guard, screws and barrel-band) that are not present in your photos.

My suggestions for cleaning: Disassemble the arm and wipe wood parts with mineral spirits or turpentine to clean off old grease and dirt. Use old cotton rags or paper towels. Follow cleaning with hand rubbed applications of raw linseed oil. Let it soak in for a day before wiping off excess. (I would finish up with Howard's Feed and Wax).

On the metal, wipe it down with Hoppe's #9 solvent. Rust spots will respond to patches of #0000 steel wool saturated with Hoppe's. Wipe off 'rusty slurry' with paper toweling. Heavier rust spots can be soaked with Hoppe's and scrapped with the edge of a copper penny.