A screen-used Luke Skywalker lightsaber linked to Mark Hamill has reached a new milestone in pop-culture collecting, selling for $3.75 million at Heritage Auctions.
The prop was used in Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back, during the legendary confrontation between Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader. Heritage said the result established a new world auction record for a screen-used Star Wars item.
The piece had been expected to bring between $1 million and $2 million, making the final price a major leap beyond estimates. The previous record for a Star Wars screen prop was held by an original X-wing model that sold for $3.135 million in 2023.
Heritage executive vice president Joe Maddalena described the lightsaber as one of the most significant surviving artifacts from the franchise, noting its connection to one of cinema's most iconic moments. The prop was built from a modified Graflex flash unit and was accompanied by the original effects rig used for the severed-hand scene.
The sale took place during Heritage's Hollywood & Entertainment Signature Auction, which also features other celebrated film collectibles. The result highlights how carefully preserved screen memorabilia continues to attract global attention, and it may shape the future of entertainment collecting with even greater cultural and historical value.
