By Kurt Allemeier –
The only surviving blaster originally used by Harrison Ford as Han Solo in “Star Wars: A New Hope” sold at Rock Island Auction Company’s August Premier Auction for $1,057,500. Han Solo’s blaster headlined the three day event that drew international press and achieved over $23 million.
Interest in the iconic blaster was hotter than the twin suns of Tatooine in the run-up to the auction. The BlasTech DL-44 Heavy Blaster was estimated to bring between $300,000 – $500,000. Bidding quickly blew past the estimate as well as the 2018 sale of a blaster prop used in “Return of the Jedi” for $550,000.
“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, was previously considered missing and presumed lost forever. The gun had been in the inventory of Bapty & Co., a London prop house that provided numerous weapons for “A New Hope.”
The blaster comprised of military surplus parts would go on to serve as the prototype for those carried by Solo throughout the first three Star Wars films produced. Star Wars fans refer to Han Solo’s blaster, one of the most recognizable weapons in movie history, as the “Hero” prop from “Star Wars: A New Hope.”
This August Premier Auction is the fifth largest in the company’s history. With more than 2,000 lots, the three-day auction event marks the company’s sixth consecutive event to breach the $20 million mark. Additional highlights from the August Premier Auction included:
- 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)
