Can someone give me the details on the curing process for an authentic shillelagh walking stick?

I've cut and shaved an oak stick to proper specifications and am prepared for the final steps in making my shillelagh. Most sources i see say to coat the stick in er and place it up a chimney. That's the most info i can get. How long must it stay in the chimney? How much er do i use for a stick that's about. 3/4 of a meter long? Once the wood is cured, would it rob the authenticity to add a finish to it? I want my shillelagh to be as authentic as possible. Does anybody out there have the answers?