[Chas]

The textile covering is braided silk. The silk and the enamel coating provide a spacing to reduce turn to turn capacitance. The enamel on modern magnet wire is thick so no problem.. The windings can be loosened by soaking the coil in alcohol or mineral spirits both of which will soften even damar hardened bees wax or paraffin. You did not state it it is solenoid or a universal wind. Count the turns carfully.

Scramble wind will work to replace a universal coil if an old winder cannot be found. However, as suggested a slug tuned oscillator coil may work. Just be sure it will resonate using the tuning condenser in the radio.

Place a want ad in the for sale page. for a good oscillator coil too.

Chas