A historical look at the .45-70 cartridge and the firearms in which it was used Features guns used in the late 1800s and throughout the Civil War From 1873 to 1898, the .45-70 was the official United States Army small arms cartridge. Gun makers developed new designs at a record pace to showcase the versatility of the cartridge for both military and sporting purposes. From the U.S. Springfield and Winchester to the Marlin and Ballard, firearms enthusiasts will discover a wealth of information pertaining to classic rifles and the cartridge that made them famous. The history of the .45-70 cartridge and the associations that surround it are sure to delight collectors and historians alike.