Just a sidelight on civilian usage of .45-70 and .50-70 military arms. There were some situations where the Army gave rifles and carbines to citizens (as civilians were called back then). Farmers and ranchers whose homes were not in close proximity to Army troops, and where hostiles were known to be raiding, and those families that didn't have adequate firearms to defend themselves, were authorized to be issued Army firearms. There was, in fact, a Special Order authorizing such issuance. (Sorry, can't find it right now, but I have it someplace.) Prior to 1874, the arms would probably include .50-70 Trapdoor Springfields and Spencer carbines. After 1874, there were a plethora of .50-70's around, including Sharps cartridge conversion carbines. But M1873 Springfields in .45-70 could be issued if necessary. In addition, there were a lot of instances where deserting troops took their issued guns with them, and then sold them to civilians!