Mark Hamill’s Star Wars Lightsaber Sells for Record Amount

Mark Hamill’s original, screen-used Luke Skywalker lightsaber has smashed auction predictions by selling for a staggering $3.75 million, setting a new world auction record for a screen-used Star Wars prop. The sale was officially confirmed on by Dallas-based Heritage Auctions during their Hollywood & Entertainment Signature Auction.

The historic prop, the one he wielded during his face-off with Darth Vader in 1980’s Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back, was highly anticipated but completely outpaced initial market forecasts. It was originally offered with a starting bid of $1 million and projected by experts to sell within the $1 million to $2 million range. The final $3.75 million sum dethroned the previous screen-used record-holder, a 20-inch original X-wing starfighter model from 1977’s Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope, that brought in $3.135 million back in October 2023.

The auction item was uniquely preserved as a full special-effects rig. It was built from a modified vintage Graflex flash unit and remained connected to the original screen-used severed-hand prosthetic effects rig. The device was originally built by Academy Award-winning makeup and special effects artist Stuart Freeborn. The mechanical prop featured a spring-loaded trigger concealed under Hamill's sleeve, allowing him to release the hand and saber completely in-camera without digital assistance.

The piece descended directly from the estate of Freeborn following his passing in 2013, making this the first time it has ever been offered to the public.