A lightsaber wielded by Darth Vader during one of the most iconic confrontations in ‘Star Wars’ history is set to go under the hammer, with the prop expected to fetch at least $1 million at an upcoming auction.

The weapon featured in the climactic duel between Vader and Luke Skywalker in ‘The Empire Strikes Back’, during which Vader reveals his identity as Luke’s father. The lightsaber also appeared in ‘Return of the Jedi’ and is among the headline lots at Heritage Auctions’ Ultimate Star Wars Auction, scheduled for November 12.

The sale comes months after another significant ‘Star Wars’ collectible made auction history. In July, the lightsaber belonging to Luke Skywalker, complete with the character’s severed hand from ‘The Empire Strikes Back’, sold for $3.75 million. According to the auction house, it was the highest price ever paid for a prop used in a ‘Star Wars’ film.

The upcoming auction will feature more than two dozen lightsaber props spanning Episodes I through IX, alongside memorabilia from other films and television productions set in the galaxy created by George Lucas.

Among the other notable lots are the lightsabers used by Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan Kenobi and Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker during their confrontation in ‘Revenge of the Sith’. Each weapon is expected to sell for at least $10,000.

The collection also includes a blaster associated with bounty hunter Boba Fett. The EE-3 carbine blaster, used by the character throughout ‘The Empire Strikes Back’, carries an estimated value exceeding $100,000.

Collectors will also have the opportunity to bid on a Yoda puppet hand used by Frank Oz during the character’s original appearance in ‘The Empire Strikes Back’. Another item is a signed personal copy of the third-draft screenplay for the original 1977 ‘Star Wars’, belonging to C-3PO actor Anthony Daniels.

A TIE Fighter pilot helmet from ‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’ is also part of the auction, adding to a line-up that spans props, costumes and production memorabilia from across the franchise. 

With its connection to one of cinema’s most memorable plot twists, the Darth Vader lightsaber is expected to attract considerable interest from collectors seeking a piece of ‘Star Wars’ history.