[Arran]

Also re the band below the buttons, is that copper?  I saw the advice about not using Brasso on it....
  Thanks!!
~Debra

Hi Debra. The metal strip is brass I believe. If you use Brasso, i will remove a clear coating and get down to the actual metal. That also may remove the lettering. ( I forget if the lettering is flush with the strip, or if it is lower.) In other words filled with a paint.  If your strip is very badly tarnished, no amount of polishing that clear surface will get rid of it.
Also if the lettering is  not indented below the surface, you'd have to apply decals or lettering to replace it.
That's the worse case scenario. A lot of work to remove the old clear, polish the metal back bright, and then letter it, then coat with a clear to prevent tarnishing.  But, it can be done...
Good luck!

 Gary;
  I'm pretty sure that the lettering is embossed in the brass strip in some way, and then filled with paint, if it was not the lettering would have rubbed off on most of them a long time ago.
Regards
Arran