How can we fix metal trim on oak desks?

We are a small town on a budget that is getting used oak furniture from a bank who is remodeling. Our furniture now is from when they remodeled 30 years ago and we had it repainted. This furniture is solid oak and can be refinished, however the pieces have metal stripping that is about 1/8" wide in both silver and gold, depending on the item. The stripping is missing on may pieces leaving a routered empty space, which is U-shaped with straight edges(not rounded). Is there any way to repair these desks and credenzas by removing the metal strips that are left and replacing with something new to get rid of the used look?
Thanks in advance for any help we can get.