Paper washer in Dommi forks

I believe that the original reason was to act as a barrier and so prevent electrolitic reaction between different metals. As modern seals are generally fully plastic/rubber coated this has made the paper washer redundant.

I have not bothered with them for years...........and that is using both the old style or modern seals.

Just to stick in my two pennuth; if you have the forks stripped, you surely wouldn't assemble them with the old seals, would you? For the coppers they cost, I would always fit new seals, as I have never known them to seal again once removed. Stripping them out usually damages them, and anyway, they are old and hardened.