A lightsaber used by Darth Vader in the original Star Wars films has sold for a record $3.6M.

At a Propstore auction in L.A. yesterday that finishes Saturday, a record bid came in for what was the highest-valued product ever put on sale from the hit franchise. The piece sold for $2.9M plus a $700,000 buyers premium paid to the auction house.

The iconic red lightsaber was used by Darth Vader to duel in The Empire Strikes Back and The Return of the Jedi, which were the fifth and sixth instalments in the franchise but the second and third to hit the screens. Nine Star Wars films have now been made along with multiple spin-offs.

David Prowse, who played Darth Vader on screen, was reported to have held the item onscreen at auction in L.A. alongside his stunt double Bob Anderson.

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