VERY RARE – Revolutionary War saddlebags, ex-Don Troiani Collection (ON HOLD,MW)

This is one of those Revolutionary War artifacts that are just impossible to find, many museums do not have them in their collections. They are Revolutionary War brown leather saddlebags. When laid flat the overall measurement is 36” x 14”. They came from the private collection of Don Troiani.

Mr. Troiani's lifelong focus on America's military heritage enabled him to present that subject with extremely high fidelity paintings. He has one of the great private artifact study collections of Civil War, War of 1812, and Revolutionary War, uniforms, equipage, insignia and weapons which he calls on to add the unique dimension of realism he is well known for.

He is also an expert researcher with a huge personal Military library of over 3,000 volumes. The garb and gear of each figure are painstakingly researched. Appropriate backgrounds are found and studied, sometimes sending the artist hundreds of miles from home to examine battlefields, museums, and structures firsthand. Because of the great amount of research that goes into one of his works, it is often years between a painting's conception and the actual moment the brush is put to canvas.

The design of Revolutionary War saddlebags differ from later war examples, such as the Civil War. Instead of having the typical pocket on each side, covered by a separate leather flap, these saddle bags have a 14” opening in the center. From that opening, the soldier would insert his belongings on either side. There are two small buckles, one is unattached but still present in the bag.

As with several unique items I had in the past, a Revolutionary War museum would quickly take advantage of the opportunity to add it to their collections. Even in the “Museum of American History” in the Smithsonian Museum, have a pair of saddlebags in their collection.

Amazingly, because of proper care and storage, these bags remain in very nice condition – still pliable and only the signs of typical use. There is a small split at one of the seams, but is not really noticeable.

Revolutionary War artifacts have always been hard to find. With the upcoming of the 250th anniversary of the nation's founding next year, there will be a revitalized interest. Just about all Revolutionary War relics and artifacts will be in demand, which will only add to their scarcity and price.