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Castraferrum pattern dreadnoughts are the bulky ones usually seen in Warhammer 40k. I've been trying to figure out if they were used during the heresy from various sources, but I haven't found a clear answer, so I'd appreciate any help that's given.

Well they are available in the rules and generally 40k tech is old tech that's continued to be used(lack of new inventions is hallmark of 40k) so logically yes.

Rulewise they suck though compared to Contemptor. FW is pushing their own units hard there(same with regular terminators. There's no disadvantage taking them over tartarus and tradeoff between cataphractii and tartarus)

There had to be some...I remember seeing some artwork of Venerable Dreads. Before the concept of Contemptors was really a thing.

But knowing how most things were. They were scrapped. So every last dread. In the 31st was a Contemptor. To keep sales going.

 TapedTempest wrote:
Castraferrum pattern dreadnoughts are the bulky ones usually seen in Warhammer 40k. I've been trying to figure out if they were used during the heresy from various sources, but I haven't found a clear answer, so I'd appreciate any help that's given.

Yes, they are your standard "Legion Dreadnought Talon" entry. The advantage they have is their cheap pricetag and flexible weapon loadout. You can do things like twin Flamestorm Cannons in a Dreadnought Drop Pod for 255pt, which is kinda cool.

I think they're also more cost effective to take as mortis aa dreadnoughts, too.

Narratively, contemptors are the original. Boxnaughts were a cheap (ish) heresy expedient and specifically designed for zone mortalis boarding actions where their big brothers couldnt fit.

Yes, and beyond what some have said, they have a very solid place in legion lists. while they aren't as tough, they have access to weapons contemptors dont (one big one being the flamestorm cannon) put 1 in a pod with a flamestorm and a heavy flamer on it's fist, and laugh your way to your AP: 3 marine murdering bank.

They were used by all legions, but generally more by the loyalists as the traitorous Fabricator General started to send them fewer resources they had to use the lower-tech Castaferrum Dreadnoughts. Contemptors were overall preferred by everyone though.

Also them being more suited to boarding actions as locarno said.

In Imperial Armour 2, the Mark IV is described as being seen by some chapters as a cursed pattern due to its involvement in the Heresy.

Personally, for my legion forces I intend to get a few of these, add on some of these and use these for some nifty conversions.

According to fw red books, the box forms are ancient, being used by techno barbarian tribes on terra. Contemptors where developed during the great crusade. They definitely have a place in the fluff.