Guinness Book of World Records 2024 features Han Solo’s blaster from Star Wars: A New Hope, as used by Harrison Ford, sold by the Rock Island Auction Company (RIAC) in 2022 for $1,057,500 as the “Most Expensive Prop Gun Sold at Auction”.
The BlasTech DL-44 Heavy Blaster used by Ford in the film had been missing since filming of the 1976 movie was completed, and new blasters were built for the next two films, “Empire Strikes Back” and “Return of the Jedi,” according to the auction house. According to RIAC, the new owner of London-based prop house Bapty & Co., Terry Watts, found the prop in the company’s inventory.
Rock Island Auction Company claimed that it is the only one of the original three blasters made for the 1976 film to exist today. Although it sold for over $1 million, its estimated worth prior to the auction was between $300,000 and $500,000.
“The growing interest in fine arms as collectibles has led us to achieve record-breaking milestones, including this one,” said Kevin Hogan, president of Rock Island Auction Company. “Knowing how coveted Star Wars collectibles are, we anticipated great interest in the Han Solo blaster, but we couldn’t have imagined we would set a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title with its sale. It’s incredible to be recognized on such a prominent platform, and a testament to the quality we offer our buyers.”
The original prop gun was modeled after the Mauser C96 broom handle pistol used by Frank Sinatra in “Naked Runner,” and was built by “Star Wars” set decorator Roger Christian and armorer Carl Schmidt. It has gone on to be dubbed the “Hero” prop and is considered one of the most recognizable weapons in cinema history.
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