Help with PH5A

[Enfield trader]

I bought a PH5A pretty cheap because the windage screw is bent at the end where the windage knob screws onto. Does anyone know who might work on these as I would rather not try to fix it myself.

Information

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[Alan de Enfield]

I bought a PH5A pretty cheap because the windage screw is bent at the end where the windage knob screws onto. Does anyone know who might work on these as I would rather not try to fix it myself.

I know of an Ex Parker Hale man who could / would do it but by the time you've paid shipping to and from the Uk + his time and parts it wont be a cheap 5A.
PM me if you want the details.

[RJW NZ]

Hi Enfield trader,
I've done this repair several times and in fact the last one only two days ago. I'll be glad to help out for no cost to a fellow forum member if you feel like. I won't be offended either if NZ is too far to send it, lol, and you go for someone else.Roger PM me here at the forum if you wish

[Peter Laidler]

All it needs is for you to strip the sight and give the bent shaft to someone with a lathe. He'll straighten it using the lathe chuck.

To save youself losing the clicker balls if you're not confident, strip it inside a large polythene bag so that they don't fly off anywhere. Then assemble in the same way. Should be a doddle

[Mk VII]

I've had some success with these by gently tapping the knob in the right direction with a hammer. The big drum-like knobs on later PH5Cs are very vulnerable to this sort of damage because a blow on them exerts so much leverage.

[RJW NZ]

Thats a great idea about stripping them inside a plastic bag! Those balls are tiny!
The repair is fairly straight forward. Use leather strips or thick plastic in a vice to grip the threaded shaft and then get a pair of needle nose pliers that have had the points slimmed down to fit into the holes in the locking disk inside the knob. Twist that thing free, and thread off the knob, keeping track of the spring and ball detent.
With the axle out, it can be set up across small wooden blocks and gently tapped until the bend comes out. Usually one right size tap will do it just exactly like one tap that probably bent it. Holding ones breath and also tongue just right helps a lot.
When you reassemble clean everything very thoroughly first, use a brass wire brush if necessary. Use a smear of grease to keep the tiny ball and spring in place while you thread the knob back on. Don't over tighten it or it won't work. Lock it in the vise again and tighten the center locking disc with the needle nose pliers. Done. Gently bently does the trick.

[Mk VII]

Gently Bentley does the trick.

That dates you a bit.

[Peter Laidler]

Just a thought Enfield Trader but maybe you could mike-up your balls....er, sorry, THE balls in the sight and tell us all for future reference exactly what size balls you need....in the sight of course

[RJW NZ]

That dates you a bit.

you're right, lol, and who Bently was I have no idea.