Post WW2 Sniper conversion question

[Seaspriter]

Gentlemen, I need your expert advice:

Situation: a friend had a nice ’42 Long Branch Enfield, but its barrel was bent about 4 inches aft of the muzzle crown.

Original Plan: I purchased the '42 Enfield from him for $150, with the intent of finding a good Long Branch barrel, putting the good barrel on the ’42, and thus creating a restored gun.

Purchase of Donor Gun: I found a ’44 Long Branch, just receiver (stripped), stock, and barrel for $38 plus shipping on Gun Broker. It has a good, shiny, straight bore, 2-groove barrel. The receiver looked like Bubba had “upgraded” it with an aftermarket scope. Allocating $100+ for the gunsmith to put on the new barrel, I had a decent gun without overspending on the project.

The Surprises: However, in my elation to find a barrel, I inadvertently did not see from the photos that 1 ½ inches had been cut from the muzzle crown when it was sporterized. (Mia culpa, caveat emptor). But there may be a silver lining: There is a possibility this was originally a Sniper outfitted at Long Branch.

The Evidence: (see pics) On the left side of the receiver, the three empty screw holes seem to match a sniper bracket, and the remaining rear 2-holed bracket still has the original Suncorite on it, and the bracket is a precision fit. On the top of the stock are screw studs where a cheek plate was once fitted, and on the top of the stock just behind the butt socket is a stamp code 15639 (a little hard to make out all the #s). The stock is walnut, not maple (which would be common with the 1944 serial #71L0279). Underneath the serial number on the butt socket is a stamped code: P 12. There are no other cartouches on the stock. What’s clearly missing is a “T” on the receiver or butt socket. There are all the other miscellaneous proof marks on the barrel. No import marks. (Attached are pics of what’s evident. )
(if these little boxes don't open up, just right-click and choose "open in new tab." I'll figure out how to master this pic insertion soon) or hit this link: Dropbox - 1944 Donor Enfield
Questions:
a) Was this originally a sniper? If yes, should I restore it? Or is it too far gone? Would I be best just putting it back into sporterized configuration? (Note: Bubba is an “alien creature” in my workshop, so I’d rather do nothing than do something that screws up a piece of history and I’m not proud of the results.)
b) Any thoughts on what to do with the cherry ’42 Enfield with the bent barrel?

Thank you for your wisdom, insights, and advice.
Robert