removing wire from Norsemen

[benz]

We recently had cause to dismantle a rig at work, and I was tasked with removing the Norsemen and other similar fittings for later use or resale. The screw parts all came apart easily, having been bedded in either silicone or Lanocote, but getting the wire out of the body where it's all jammed up inside with the cone is proving more difficult. Are there any more gentle tricks than the obvious heating with a torch and wailing with a hammer? One hates to pound at fittings that, while not exactly delicate, deserve better treatment.
Thanks in advance, and a jolly Christmas to everyone!
Ben