March 22, 2026

The Most Valuable Firearms Ever Sold

Photo: This revolver once owned by Wyatt Earp sold for roughly $225,000 at auction back in 2014.

Most guns are valued for their craftsmanship or performance.

But a rare few become priceless because of the history behind them.

When a firearm is tied to a famous figure, a legendary outlaw, or a pivotal moment in American history, collectors are willing to pay astonishing amounts to own it. At major auctions over the years, several historic firearms have sold for prices that rival luxury homes.

Here are some of the most valuable guns ever recorded.

Legendary Guns From the Old West

Few periods in American history capture the imagination like the Wild West. It is no surprise that firearms connected to famous lawmen and outlaws command serious money.

A revolver once owned by Wyatt Earp sold for roughly $225,000 at auction. As one of the most recognizable figures of the frontier era, anything tied to Earp draws strong interest from collectors.

Another famous firearm is the revolver used to kill outlaw Jesse James. That gun sold for about $350,000. The story behind it is as dramatic as the price. James was betrayed and shot by Robert Ford in 1882.

Collectors have also paid heavily for rare early Colt revolvers. A classic Colt Paterson revolver sold for nearly $1 million at auction. These early Colt designs represent the beginning of the American revolver era and are extremely rare today.

Another historic piece, a Colt Walker revolver associated with a Texas Ranger, sold for close to $920,000.

Firearms Owned by Famous Leaders

Some of the most valuable guns in the world belonged to major historical figures.

A pair of pistols carried by George Washington sold for nearly $2 million. Known as saddle pistols, they were part of Washington's personal equipment during the Revolutionary War era.

Another highly valuable set belonged to Simon Bolivar. His ornate flintlock pistols brought more than $1.6 million at auction.

Even firearms owned by later American leaders attract massive attention. A shotgun once used by Theodore Roosevelt sold for more than $860,000. Roosevelt was an avid outdoorsman, hunter, and conservationist, which made his firearms especially desirable to collectors.

These pieces are not just guns. They are artifacts tied directly to major moments in world history.

The Gun That Will Never Be Sold

One firearm stands above all others in historical significance.

The small Philadelphia Derringer used by John Wilkes Booth during the Assassination of Abraham Lincoln may be the most historically significant handgun in existence.

The derringer fired the shot that mortally wounded Abraham Lincoln at Ford's Theatre on April 14, 1865.

Originally sold in the mid 1800s for around $25, the pistol is now preserved in a secure display at Ford's Theatre.

Because of its historical importance, it will never appear at auction. No collector could buy it at any price.

And that may be what makes it the most valuable firearm of them all.

Until next time, stay locked and loaded.
- Randy, Locked N Loaded

Please add randy@gophercentral.com to your address book or visit here.

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