P17 'Enfield' With a canted barrel?

[TTB4570]

Hey gang,
I've recently purchased a p17 and looking over it seems to have a barrel that either was replaced and not installed fully, or one that someone tried to remove (poorly, I might add).

As you can see in the pictures


The front sight is canted to the right (needless to say this was a shock when I received the rifle) and after pulling the stock you can see that the witness marks do not line up. In addition there are few claw marks on the barrel indicating less than stellar handiwork.

So what I've come to ask the grand sages of this arcane forum is:
1) Are you aware of anyone in BC or Canada at large that would be willing to undertake the torqueing of the barrel into the proper position? the bore itself is shiny with no burrs or marks.
2) Would you consider it worthwhile to do this work or would it be smarter to simply purchase a sporterized P17 in decent shape and drop it into the stock that came with this? I'd like to restore this rifle to it's former glory but I'm not really of the inclination of doing it for the price of one in fantastic condition.
3) are you aware of a good source for parts? there are some other odds and ends missing or damaged (nose cap screw, rear trigger guard screw, rear sight axis screw, extractor collar and extractor)

And no, all of the many deficiencies were not listed when I threw my bid in on a "great deal", but such is life, right?

Thanks in advance, let me know if you need me to send an offering of cosmoline!

 

[bearhunter]

Give "Purple" a member on this site a PM. He might do it for you.

From your photos, if the barrel is ''tight in place'' a few thou will have to be removed from the shoulder for it to index properly.

There should be a serial number on the barrel that matches the one on the receiver. If your rifle went to the UK or Canada, the bolt should have a matching number as well.

It's not a difficult job, with the proper tools.

If the barrel wasn't torqued into place with the appx .002 inch "crush", it may just need to be torqued into the proper position.

Headspace should be OK but I would have it checked afterwards.

The damage is ugly because Bubba used a pipe wrench on it. luckily, it will be hidden by the furniture. Most springfield screws fit and are available from Brownelles or International Military Arms out of the US. Same for sling swivels. They aren't controlled.

Purple lives in Kaledan. Do a search and contact him.

 

[Potashminer]

Not much to add to Bearhunter's comments. I have done a few of these. I made a tapered insert for my barrel vice that grabs right onto that taper area of the chamber. The barrels were made with a "key way" for that front sight assemble to fit into. There is the indicator mark on underside of barrel - was to be torqued until marks line up on receiver - every one that I have done that way - 5 or 6 - the thing passed headspace GO, NOGO and FIELD easily. There was a big push in WWII for USA military to rebuild their "P17" they had stored from WWI - many WWI barrels were "pooched" - really lousy storage, etc., so during that WWII rebuild program, had several USA contractors making replacement "P17" barrels - you should see the maker's mark on top of barrel, just behind the front sight. If the receiver is Eddystone, Winchester or Remington in WWI, and if the barrel is original - the barrel will have same serial number and same maker as the receiver. If a WWII replacement - not sure about the serial number, but for sure the maker mark on barrel will be very different than on the receiver.

 

[TheWhole9Yards]

Vulcan refinishing would be a good place to send it, located in Ontario and specialize in these types of rifles.