  We present bulk and neutron scattering measurements performed on the
isotopically enriched $^{154}\mathrm{Sm_2Ti_2O_7}$ and
$^{154}\mathrm{Sm_2Sn_2O_7}$ samples. Both compounds display sharp heat
capacity anomalies, at 350 mK and 440 mK, respectively. Inelastic neutron
scattering measurements are employed to determine the crystalline electric
field (CEF) level scheme, which includes transitions between the ground-state
and first excited $J$ multiplets of the $\mathrm{Sm}^{3+}$ ion. To further
validate those results, the single-ion magnetic susceptibility of the compounds
is calculated and compared with the experimental DC-susceptibility measured in
low applied magnetic fields. It is demonstrated that the inclusion of
intermultiplet transitions in the CEF analysis is fundamental to the
understanding of the intermediate and, more importantly, low temperature
magnetic behaviour of the Sm-based pyrochlores. Finally, the heat capacity
anomaly is shown to correspond to the onset of an all-in-all-out long-range
order in the stannate sample, while in the titanate a dipolar long-range order
can be only indirectly inferred.
