I just received an early 1950s vintage Medalist and was surprised that it had line on it. The line is sound...at least it didn't break when I pulled on it...but I can't tell if it's silk or nylon since I've had little experience with either. It is limber, which seems to say silk, and is tacky with some dressing which also suggests silk. (Did old nylon lines use line treatment as silk lines did?)

FWIW: The line is a coppery brown.

Anyhow, is there any easy way to tell if its silk or nylon?

(Also, if silk, I know there's a method for stripping off the tacky stuff and refinishing them, but I've forgotten it.)