Gun collectors would go crazy for some of the weapons on this list. Not just because they’re the most expensive guns in the world, but because of the stories behind them:
From makers such as Colt, Holland & Holland, Purdey, and Fabbri, from the embellished to the history makers, you’ll find the most expensive guns in the world below.
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15. Hitler’s Golden Walther PP, $114,000
First up is Adolf Hitler’s ivory-handled pistol. It was retrieved from his Munich apartment at the end of World War II by American soldiers in 1945.
This pistol was gifted to Hitler on his 50th birthday by Carl Walther. And over the years, the pistol has changed hands many times before being auctioned off for $114,000 in 1987.
At the time, it was the highest price ever to be paid at an auction for purchasing military memorabilia.
14. Wyatt Earp’s Colt .45-Caliber Revolver, $225,000
One of the most famous lawmen of all time, Wyatt Earp worked as the deputy sheriff in Tombstone, Arizona. The epitome of a tough wild-west man, Earp was employed in several positions such as gambler, bouncer, saloon-keeper, and boxing referee. Involved in one of the most famous shootouts of all time, The Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, Earp and three other lawmen killed three outlaws in thirty seconds. This Colt .45 revolver is most likely the gun that was used that day, and has subsequently pulled in a lot of money for its sale.
13. Colt Walker, $250,000
Sometimes also referred to as Walker Colt, this is one of the most expensive guns in the world with an estimated value of $250,000. It is a single-action revolver, with a revolving cylinder that can hold six charges of black powder behind six bullets.
Samuel Colt himself designed the gun in 1846 according to the specifications given by Captain Samuel Hamilton Walker. The gun is today regarded as one of the most desirable weapons in the world.
12. The Smith & Wesson that killed Jesse James, $350,000
Jesse James was a famous outlaw who, along with his notorious gang, carried out many banks and train robberies. He was active during the mid to late 1800s and a legendary figure from the Wild West era.
It is believed that Jesse James and his infamous gang robbed over 20 banks and stole over $200,000. He was eventually killed with a 44.-caliber Smith & Wesson revolver by one of his gang members.
In 2003, the gun was sold at an auction in California for $350,000.
11. Bonnie and Clyde’s Guns, $504,000
Bonnie and Clyde were a notorious criminal couple best known for their bank robberies. They also robbed small stores and rural gas stations.
They are often credited as being the early masters of selfies. After being shot to death, the criminal couple left behind their guns, which sold for $504,000 at a New Hampshire auction in 2012.
10. Teddy Roosevelt’s Double-barreled Shotgun, $862,500
One of the most memorable presidents in U.S. history, Teddy Roosevelt was the 26th president from 1901-1909. As an avid hunter, Roosevelt used this shotgun, made by the Fox Gun Company, to bring with him on an African Safari in 1909. Originally sold by the Roosevelt family in 1974, it was eventually sold again in 2000, but wasn’t until 2010 when the shotgun went for the staggering price of $862,500.
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9. Texas Ranger Sam Wilson’s Colt Walker, $920,000
Issued to Texas Ranger Sam Wilson in 1847, there are several contributing factors as to why this particular gun sold for $920,000. First, the Colt was specifically designed for the Texas Rangers, and the black powder revolver was one of the most powerful handguns ever created. Second, there were only 1,100 Walker pistols ever made, and few are known to still exist. All of these factors came together with a near-perfect condition, and it’s no wonder why the gun appears on our most expensive guns list.
8. Colt Paterson Revolver, $977,000
Patented by Samuel Colt in 1836, the Colt Paterson revolver is the first-ever repeating pistol from the company. This new design laid the groundwork for the modern revolver we are familiar with today. The pistol got its name from the city of Paterson, New Jersey where it was manufactured. This particular piece is considered to be one of the highest quality surviving Paterson’s left, so it makes sense the gun pulled in almost 1 million dollars.
7. Gold-Inlaid Colt Model 1849 Pocket Revolver, $1.1 million
The magnificent Colt Model 1849 Pocket Revolver was designed to be more transportable and streamlined. This was one of the most widely manufactured percussion pistols ever made by Colt.
The Model 1849 was very popular with the masses for being so reliable. This specific model of this famed revolver was inlaid with gold, and it was this beautiful craftsmanship that boosted the price of this revolver to $1.1 million.
6. Million Euro Rifle, $1.18 million
The Million Euro Rifle is all about the bling:
With inlaid gold and hundreds of set diamonds decorating the gun. Along with carved ivory rests and grip.
The cost of the rifle is well reflected in its name, as it is valued at $1.18 million.
5. Millikin Colt Dragoon Revolver, $1.66 million
The shining point on this Colt Third Model Dragoon is the intricate engravings completed by Gustave Young, and thus falls into the serial number range for a variety of other special guns given out by the factory. Owned originally by Colonel John Millikin, who was killed in 1862 in the Civil War, it was passed down to his son Paul, and it’s his name and rank that are engraved on the backstrap. Now in a private collection, the gun sold at the Rock Island Auction Company for $1.66 million in 2019.
4. Simon Bolivar’s Flintlock Pistols, $1.76 million
Simon Bolivar is a huge name when you talk about South America’s revolution against the Spanish empire. Stationed as a Venezuelan military leader, Bolivar helped liberate four other South American countries other than Venezuela. Since Bolivar was a collector of firearms, this set of dueling pistols fit perfectly into his collection, and were even some of the finest pieces there. In 2004, the pistols were auctioned at Christie’s in New York for a large $1.76 million.
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3. George Washington’s Saddle Pistols, $1.98 million
Gifted to Washington by his French ally Marquis de Lafayette, these guns were as much a decoration piece as deadly weapons. Used throughout the Revolutionary War, after Washington’s death they fell into the possession of President Andrew Jackson, who cherished the guns for most of his life before gifting them back to Washington’s family. In 2002, the pair of pistols were sold at a Christie’s Americana auction for a staggering $1.98 million.
2. Singing Bird Pistols, $5.8 million
The 1820s Singing Bird pistols are made of real gold and decorated with diamonds and pearls. Only four were manufactured, and only one matching pair are believed to exist today.
Around 25 years ago, these pistols were sold at an auction for $1,000,000. In May 2011 they sold at Christie’s for a whopping $5,800,000.
1. Pat Garrett’s Colt Single Action Army Used to Kill Billy the Kid, $6.03 million / Most Expensive Guns
Our most expensive gun in the world has tied Billy the Kid and Pat Garrett together, one the most famous outlaw of the Old West, and the other the most famous lawman of the Old West. The gun, funnily enough, is an unremarkable Colt Single Action Army revolver. In 1906, Garrett claims this gun is one he took off of one of Billy the Kid’s gang members, and carried the gun himself. It then just so happened to be the gun that would kill Billy the Kid in 1881.
When it first crossed the auction block as a single entry at Bonham’s in 2021, it stunned viewers when it sold for $6.02 million, becoming the most expensive gun in the world.
Guns have been a huge part of history, whether through the amount made, who’s holstering it, or who it killed. Though they have been used for terrible reasons, there is something valuable about a well-made gun. These are just some of the impactful guns through time, and concludes our list of the top fifteen most expensive guns.
