So, turns out that my precision 0.05% decade resistor box/voltage divider is not precise at all and some resistors are off by as much as 0.7%
Probably someone put way too much current in those poor wire wound resistors.
Anyway, few resistors are basically dead, but many are in a "trimmable" range.
Resistance is always higher and never lower than what it should be, and the manufacturer was kind enough to leave plenty of resistive wire between resistors to trim at least two or three ohms (in the kohm range) from each resistor.
Now i ask: if i trim them now to the correct value, they stay at that value, right? Or do I run the risk of wasting hours of careful soldering and measuring just for them to be out of spec later?
My thought is that the damage has already been done, and now they are again stable like they should be.
Attached pic of the current situation