Darth Vader's iconic lightsaber has sold for $3,654,000 at an auction, making it the most expensive piece of "Star Wars" memorabilia ever sold. The auction took place on Thursday, with bidding starting at 10 a.m. PT. The lightsaber was expected to fetch between $1 million and $3 million.

This original screen-matched, hero dueling lightsaber prop was featured in two of the franchise's most famous films, "The Empire Strikes Back" and "Return of the Jedi." It is known for its striking red glow and was used during the pivotal scene where Vader reveals to Luke Skywalker, "I am your father."

The lightsaber was utilized by David Prowse, who portrayed Darth Vader, and stunt actor Bob Anderson during the filming of these movies. According to the auction listing, "This is the primary dueling prop created for Vader's character in both Empire and Jedi. It saw extensive use during the filming of both movies and is one of the most memorable film props from the original trilogy."

The prop shows signs of wear, which is expected given its extensive use. The back of the shroud has a crack, and one of the grips is broken. However, the auction house noted that these imperfections serve as "compelling evidence of the lightsaber's direct involvement in the action."

The lightsaber was part of a larger auction event held by Propstore in Los Angeles, which featured various notable movie and television props. Other items included an Anakin Skywalker lightsaber from the "Star Wars" prequels, which sold for $126,000, and a bullwhip used by Harrison Ford in "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade," which went for $475,650. Additionally, Jean-Luc Picard’s Ressikan flute from "Star Trek: The Next Generation" sold for $403,200, and Rick Dalton's flamethrower from "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" fetched $346,500.

This auction coincided with the 45th anniversary of the release of "The Empire Strikes Back," further adding to the significance of the event.