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If this is a pre-late 60's unit (likely) it probably used one of the older orange-brown ferric oxide tape formulas that looks orange and leaves orange in the mech....If you work on older RTR (reel to reel) audio decks and or have a working one and play a lot of older tapes you'll discover the stuff likes to accumulate on transport surfaces from use...
As for that wire: What terminals could it naturally reach? If any terminals were in reach you will probably find a wire stub (with or without insulation) on one. If not then look for another cut piece of that wire that could make it there. Worst case scenario you'll need a service manual to trace the wire.
It is interesting that one drum lead unplugs and the others are soldered.
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