Bar frets: Lyon and Healy style "c"

I'm guessing this was made somewhere in the 1910's serial # 427

I'm deciding between lifting and possibly shimming under these frets or converting to standard fretwire. Jescar makes a wire w/ a fatter tang that looks like it might be directed at this. #FW37053-230. The slots are .030"

Paul Hostetter wrote of wedging the bars up w/ straight pins but this board is bound so they would have to be removed and put back in I think.

Anyone have experience w/ Mandolin bar frets? (other than just pulling them)

I'm thinking If I pull the bars out cleanly + send them w/ the instrument in a zip lock I won't have done anything Irreversible.

The customer will ultimately make the call. He wants more modern wire and may not want to pay for futzing w/bars but I can steer him in the right direction in terms of ethics/ resale value.

thoughts?

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