These leather saddlebags were specifically designed for medical use. Each bag is lined with a tin frame. The bags meas. approx. 7.50 inches long x 3.00 inches wide x 7.75 inches tall. The bags are decorated with a tooled line design on the sides and face. Each flap has two parallel lines that follow its edge. At the center of each flap is a tooled diamond design. In the center of this is the maker’s mark in a circle that reads “STEPHENS PATENT, JUNE 30, 1885, GEO. K. HOPKINS & CO., SOLE AGENTS, ST. LOUIS, MO. Near the bottom of each flap is a white metal escutcheon. The body of the box has a turnbuckle which passes through this escutcheon and locks the flap in place.

When opened each bag has an upper tray that meas. approx. 7.00 inches long x 3.00 inches wide x 3.00 inches tall. This top tray tilts up exposing a lower tray that meas. approx. 7.00 inches long x 3.00 inches wide x 4.00 inches tall. One bag contains 11 period medicine bottles. Some still with cork stoppers. The other bag contains about 15 or so bottles. Most of these also have the cork stoppers. The bags are connected by a strip of leather 7.75 inches wide at its widest point and approx. 19.00 inches long. Each bag is attached to this central strap by 7 copper rivets similar to those seen on Civil War bayonet scabbards. An 8^th rivet on each side hold a rolled up strap that sits under the main strap. The overall condition is very good. There is one thin wear hole in one flap and the leather is just a tad dry.

This is a very interesting medical item and would make a great display since it still has much of its contents.