Darth Vader Dueling Lightsaber Sells for $4.875 Million

Overview

• The hilt, described by Heritage Auctions as Darth Vader’s primary dueling lightsaber, sold for $4.875 million, which closed on Thursday.
• The auction catalog says the prop was used by actor David Prowse and stunt performer Bob Anderson in fight scenes from The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi.
• Heritage documented physical damage consistent with staged combat—scratches, a crack, a missing portion of the upper shroud and a partially broken grip—and explained the hilt was reinforced to accept interchangeable wooden blades.
• The sale set a new auction record for a screen‑used Star Wars prop, surpassing the $3.75 million result for Luke Skywalker’s lightsaber and effects rig from July.
• The hilt was offered as part of Heritage’s Ultimate Star Wars auction of nearly 200 lots, and the result underscores continued strong demand and rising prices for original‑trilogy film memorabilia.