The original Darth Vader lightsaber used in the «Star Wars» films «The Empire Strikes Back» and «Return of the Jedi» is going up for auction again. The sale is scheduled for Nov. 12, 2026, through Heritage Auctions.
The prop was used during the lightsaber duels between Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker. Although David Prowse portrayed Darth Vader on screen, stuntman Bob Anderson performed the character’s fight scenes.
The same prop sold for $3.654 million at a Propstore auction in September 2025. It has now returned to the market, but the identity of the previous buyer has not been disclosed. Heritage Auctions has not explained why the lightsaber is being resold.
According to the lot description, this version of the lightsaber differed from the prop used in noncombat scenes. Its hilt was reinforced with aluminum cylinders and steel mounts to accommodate interchangeable wooden blades.
During the filming of «The Empire Strikes Back,» the blades were initially coated with reflective material and later simply painted white. This allowed filmmakers to create the glowing blade effect during postproduction. The blade itself has not survived and is not included in the lot.
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A 25% buyer’s premium will be added to the winning bid. For example, if the lightsaber sells for $1 million, the buyer will pay $1.25 million, excluding any additional applicable costs.