Darth Vader’s Lightsaber Fetches $3.6 Million at Auction

• Sep 05, 2025

A lightsaber used by Darth Vader in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi has sold for more than $3.6 million at a Los Angeles auction, making it one of the most valuable movie props ever sold.

The piece, auctioned by Propstore, had been expected to fetch between $1 million and $3 million, but intense bidding pushed the final price to $3,654,000 after 31 bids. The lightsaber was one of the highlights of a Hollywood memorabilia sale featuring more than 1,000 costumes, props, and collectibles.

According to Propstore, the prop was wielded by David Prowse, the actor who played Darth Vader, and stunt double Bob Anderson during some of the most memorable dueling sequences in the original Star Wars trilogy. The auction house described it as the primary dueling lightsaber created for Vader’s character, noting its extensive use during filming.

Propstore CEO Brandon Alinger revealed that the lightsaber surfaced after the company received a surprising phone call. “A gentleman called in and said, ‘I have a lightsaber,’” Alinger explained. After careful inspection, experts confirmed not only which character used it but also how it was mounted for action scenes, pointing out a small steel post at the top designed to hold the blade.

The lightsaber itself was crafted from a 1950s camera flash bulb attachment, modified by the production team to become one of cinema’s most recognizable weapons. Propstore noted that the prop still bears signs of wear from filming, which add to its authenticity and value.

“It’s really an unprecedented piece,” Alinger said, emphasizing its importance as both a cinematic artifact and a collector’s item.

The ongoing auction, held at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, featured both in-person and online bidding. Organizers projected the event could bring in around $10 million overall, fueled by the popularity of rare items tied to Hollywood’s biggest blockbusters.

For Star Wars fans and collectors, the sale underscores the cultural and financial power of movie history. Darth Vader’s lightsaber, long a symbol of cinematic villainy, has now become a record-breaking treasure for its new owner.