Calm, calm, calm!
Before you race off in four different directions at once searching for an answer to your rigging questions, consider this:-
You have a collection of materials that, when correctly configured, assembled and maintained, has lasted for 76 years.
Be wary of over-thinking your options on the rigging.
Granted, it looks like an unpredictable bloody mess when in a pile on the ground, but it is a logical collection of components that is almost minimalistic in it's simplicity when understood.
I assume that from your description it is all drop-over-eyes and you have labelled and numbered the wires so you can get them back on in the right order, along with all the block strops etc.
A few observations.
1. If it is really hand spliced 1x19 wire you should pay the money for a proper consultation with Brion Toss. You will not get better value or advice for your rig.
2. If it is hand spliced 7X7 wire, any COMPETENT yacht rigger can replicate your rigging.
3. A rig with the aforementioned drop over eyes is a very different beast from a mast with bands and tangs. You should get some qualified advice on the change-over if that is what you decide.
You can not just bolt on compression bands and tangs and add some through-bolts for luck, you must use skill and judgement.
This may have to be bought-in and can be expensive, but will save you a disaster later on.(See #1. above).
4. If it were my boat I would be doing one of two things.
Staying with hand spliced wire, I lean towards the dull stainless 7X7 option, but this is purely personal, and taking time with the finishing of the splices.
Or converting to Dynex Dux with overbraid and standard turnbuckles as per "LANDFALL" a 1936 S&S design # 54, here in Sydney.
Not a difficult job.
Regards,
Joe Henderson.
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