I replaced a barrel on a 54 cal Lyman Great Plains rifle . In the past on my Lyman barrels the date of mfg was the typical 2 letter code ,only it was in the underside of the barrel . Looks like that has changed .

That is really different. Where did you find the barrel to purchase?

I bought it from Midsouth , Box even had date of 4/2017 on it

Thanks, I might have to pick me one up in flintlock of course.

That's a first for any company so far as I know. It sure beats date codes.

Yea I agree. I like the idea . The box was even more specific . It said 4/20/2017

Only a month old. They must have shipped that out the day after they made it.