What was available in 1901?

[Dock]

We are trying to determine what wire rope would have been used for a boat built in 1901. Size of standing rigging about 1/4" - 5/16", running rigging, in the form of a halyard, 1/4". A designer of similar boats of the period specified plow steel for standing wire & Damascus steel for running wire. Most importantly, where could it be obtained today (without melting down some old plows or going to Damascus )? Actually the lay of the wire & coating or lack thereof would probably suffice. This would be for a museum restoration. Also would brass sail slides & track have been in use then?
Asks,
Dock