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Thread: What year did Pietta correct the Smith Carbine barrel problem?

  1. #1
    Bob Hatfield is offline
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    What year did Pietta correct the Smith Carbine barrel problem?

    The reason I ask is that I am looking at one that has a 2001 date code "BP". I've read that early Pietta Smith's barrels were bored incorrectly.

    Thank you,

    Bob

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    Lou Lou Lou is offline
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    Easiest method is t tap bullet through from breech. If it falls out the muzzle its backwards
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    John Holland is offline Moderator
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    It wasn't a year date, but rather a serial number range. I do not remember what that range was, although as I recall it was printed in the Skirmish Line at the time it was discovered.

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    george7542 is offline
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    I have one that is either in the 1600 or 1900 serial number dont recall but can check later that was rifles backwards.

    Having checked my pietta smith the serial number 1927 and was rifled backwards.
    Last edited by george7542; 03-06-2019 at 07:58 PM. Reason: Added serial number
    Jesse

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    Bob Hatfield is offline
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    The one I'm looking at has the number M42XX range. I'm assuming it has a good barrel. You all know what they say about assuming.

    Thanks all


    Bob

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    Harry Gaul is offline
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    Smith serial range?

    I thought the magic number for "good" rifling was 1352. That is the number that I went on. Serial number 1927 implies that I could be wrong. I have seen Smith's at gun shows with little or no rifling, and they could have been made for the Reenactor market. My advice is to buy as cheaply as possible and then try it and if it does not work, you can have the barrel relined. Repro Smith also have another problem. The bolster is drilled too deep and the fire from the cap does not go directly into the channel and through the breech and into the cartridge. There are guys who can fix that as well but the cost will be around $125 plus or minus. What the Hades! It is only money. That is part of Skirmishing. Tinker here, Tinker there and when All else fails, buy another Carbine.

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    george7542 is offline
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    Harry the magic number very well could have been the first 1352 barrels. However it doesn't mean that someone didnt throw a barrel in the rifling machine backwards every once in awhile. The quality control departments in today's in age lacks something to be desired.
    Jesse

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    Barrels rifled backwards??

    The barrels were rifled ok. The problem came when they decided which end got the threading for the dropping block. They choose the wrong end. When you rifle a barrel, one end ends up bigger inside than the other. It has to do with which end the tooling starts in. Yeck Smiths had a similar problem occasionally and they were not grouped by a serial number lot.
    N-SSA Member since 1974

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    If the price is right buy it and have Bobby Hoyt sleeve it. Then you know it's right and will shoot good groups.
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    Lou Lou Lou is offline
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    A new Pietta lists for $1,100. Then you need a trigger job. After that, some end up needing the tumbler reshaped. Some folks have had to construct a fire channel because there is a cavern under the nipple.
    Originals are going for $1,400_$2,000.

    If you can get it cheap enough, you might try it. I suggest buying the cheapest original you can afford.
    worst case you might need it reline. Just my opinion, for what it is worth
    Lou Lou Lou Ruggiero
    Tammany Regt-42nd NYVI

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