[Arran]

Russ likes to use EPDM covered wire as a substitute for the old fashioned rubber/gutta percha wire in many of his restorations, so that is an option if you want to avoid the vinyl wire look, which matters more in something like an A.K cathedral. In a common set from the 1940s it doesn't really matter, after the war most manufacturers switched to vinyl insulated wire anyhow, just do a neat job and nobody will look twice. I would get rid of the disk caps someone used though, even they yellow poly film ones look better in a pre war radio, but then again they may have used the wrong value ones anyhow in a quick and cheap "restoration" job.
Regards
Arran