A Han Solo Blaster just broke the bank at the most recent Rock Island Action Company offering. The only surviving blaster used by Harrison Ford in “Star Wars: A New Hope” brought $1,057,500 on the block, leading an incredible auction that totaled more than $23 million overall.
Han Solo Blaster Leads Huge Auction
Dubbed the BlasTech DL-44 Heavy Blaster, the prop brought international interest over the three-day event. Hotter than the twin suns of Tatooine, according to Rock Island Auction Company, the sale far exceeded the initial $300K to $500K estimate. The sale also smashed the “Return of the Jedi” blaster; it sold for $550K in 2018.
“We know how passionate fine arms collectors can be and it’s great to see that same energy in other fields of collecting,” said Kevin Hogan, President of Rock Island Auction Company. “We’re grateful for the excitement and support generated for this auction. It’s yet another demonstration of the growing markets for collectibles and fine arms.”
The prop, one of three made for the 1977 film, became seemingly lost forever over time. Instead, it resided in the inventory of Bapty & Co., a Lond prop house that worked on the film, reported Rock Island Auction Company.
The iconic BlasTech DL-44 Heavy Blaster comprised of military surplus parts. It served as the prop carried by Solo throughout the first three films in the Star Wars franchise. Many Star Wars fans refer to the blaster as the “Hero” prop.
The August Premier Auction became the fifth largest in Rock Island’s history. It featured more than 2,000 lots. Amazingly, it also marked the sixth consecutive auction to break more than $20 million in sales.
Notable August Premier Auction Items
- A pair of pistols wielded by Angelina Jolie in the 2001 film “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider” ($35,250)
- Wild Bill Hickok’s Smith & Wesson No. 2 revolver ($235,000)
- The Finest Known 1891 Production Colt Single Action Army ($763,750)
- A Winchester “One of One Hundred” Model 1873 rifle ($440,625)
- A Rizzini engraved by Master Firmo Fracassi ($246,750)
For even more info, please visit rockislandauction.com.
