Identifying vintage Trapdoor ammo

[RBruce]

I have some vintage 45-70 ammo with the following headstamp.

U.M.C.
S (primer) H
.45-70.

Any ideas about when this was manufactured?

TIA
Bruce Sharer
Raleigh, NC

Information

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[Skip]

Union Metalic Company Solid Head
Circa. 1860

[RBruce]

Really? That old. I'm glad I kept it instead of firing it. Is it worth much? I only have two rounds. Thanks for the info Skip.

[jonnyc]

Sorry, but that's not quite accurate. The .45-70 didn't come out commercially until at least 1880, and SH ammo was produced well into the 20th century. Your Union Metallic Cartridge Co. rounds might be from as early as 1895 to as late as the 1940s. They're worth about $3 each.

[RBruce]

Hmmmm. I knew that the Trapdoor was introduced in the 1870s, but I wasn't sure if the 45-70 round was used in another rifle prior to the trapdoor.

[jonnyc]

Pretty sure it was first used in the Model 1873, and then went commercial after that.

[green]

The UMC hs was replaced by the Rem-UMC hs c1911 when the Remington Arms Co merged with Union Metallic Ctg Co.
If the case has a knurled cannelure on it it is a smokeless load c1899. The US govt ordered large quantities of smokeless 45 ammo from UMC and Winchester.

[Johnny Peppers]

I believe Sharps offered the Model 1874 in .45-70 (.45 2 1/10) in 1875. UMC is credited with offering the first solid head case, and Winchester came out with a solid head in 1880.