10 of the Most Expensive Guns Ever Sold
There are plenty of flashy, souped-up guns on the market that cost thousands of dollars, but some rare (and historically significant) guns are worth far more than their weight in gold.
Whether they fired the shot that ended an outlaw’s reign, survived wars and revolutions, or simply exist as stunning works of craftsmanship, these expensive guns fetched impressive prices at auction.
1. Pat Garrett’s Colt Single Action Army Used To Kill Billy the Kid
Sold for: $6.03 million
This is the six-shooter that ended an outlaw legend. The Colt Single Action Army belonged to Sheriff Pat Garrett, the man who famously gunned down Billy the Kid in 1881. This pistol was, without a doubt, a Wild West relic.
2. George Washington’s Saddle Pistols
Sold for: $1.98 million
These elegant flintlock pistols rode with George Washington through the Revolutionary War (no biggie, right?). The presidential pistols included intricate details and gold inlay, adding to their inherent value.
3. Danish Sea Captain Colt Walker
Sold for: $1.84 million
One of only 100 civilian Colt Walkers ever made, it’s the only known factory-cased example, complete with original documentation in Sam Colt’s handwriting. Bought in 1847 by Danish sea captain Neils Hanson in New York (hence its nickname), it made its way to Denmark, survived Nazi occupation by being buried in a garden, and finally returned to the U.S. after the war.
4. Simón Bolívar’s Flintlock Pistols
Sold for: $1.80 million
Crafted by Nicolas-Noël Boutet— Napoleon’s own gunsmith — these pistols were a gift from the Marquis de Lafayette to Simón Bolívar in 1825.
5. Millikin Colt Dragoon Revolver
Sold for: $1.66 million
This Colt Dragoon, gifted to Civil War officer John Millikin, is a masterpiece of engraving and craftsmanship. Passed down to Millikin’s son Paul, whose name and rank are etched into the backstrap, this revolver is steeped in history.
6. Gold-Inlaid Colt Model 1849 Pocket Revolver
Sold for: $1.1 million
Dripping in gold inlay, this .31 caliber Colt Model 1849 features an intricate mix of mythical creatures, wild animals, and ornate scrollwork. Even the screws are decorated.
7. Colt Patterson Revolver
Sold for: $977,500
As the first ever repeating pistol, patented by Samuel Colt in 1836, the Colt Paterson changed firearms forever. With its revolutionary revolving cylinder, it paved the way for the modern revolver, and this model is arguably the most pristine in existence.
8. Texas Ranger Sam Wilson’s Colt Walker
Sold for: $920,000
Built for the Texas Rangers in 1847, the Colt Walker was one of the most powerful black powder revolvers ever made. With only 1,100 produced and few surviving, this one, issued to Texas Ranger Sam Wilson, was in near-perfect condition, skyrocketing its value.
9. Teddy Roosevelt’s Double-Barreled Shotgun
Sold for: $862,500
Teddy Roosevelt was best known for being the president, but he was also an avid outdoorsman. This shotgun, crafted by the Fox Gun Company, was made specifically for his 1909 African safari. Roosevelt called it the most beautiful gun he had ever seen. Originally sold by his family in 1974, it changed hands a few times before fetching nearly $900,000 in a 2010 auction.
10. The 44.-Caliber Smith & Wesson That Killed Jesse James
Sold for: $350,000
Jesse James was the ultimate Wild West outlaw — robbing banks, dodging the law, and building a legend. But his story ended with a betrayal. Shot in the back by fellow gang member Robert Ford, this Smith & Wesson is believed to be the very gun that fired the fatal rounds.