Captain James Kirk’s gun from Star Trek tipped to sell at auction for $500,000

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Captain James Kirk’s ‘one of a kind gun’ that he used to capture rogue Commander Mitchell from William Shatner’s first Star Trek appearance in 1966 is tipped to sell at auction for $500,000

  • Star Trek gun from second pilot episode is tipped to sell at auction for $500,000
  • The rifle was wielded by Captain Kirk to capture rogue Commander Mitchell
  • Collectors item is up for auction in Dallas, Texas, in sale which ends on Thursday

By Clare Mccarthy For Mailonline

Published: | Updated:


Star Trek’s Captain James Kirk’s ‘one of a kind’ gun from his first appearance the 1960s sci-fi series is tipped to sell at auction for $500,000.

William Shatner, 90, who played Captain Kirk, wielded the phaser rifle in the show’s second pilot episode, ‘Where No Man Has Gone Before’, in 1966. 

He replaced Commander Pike from the original pilot and used the weapon to capture rogue Commander Mitchell and Dr Dehner.

Shatner recently became the oldest person to go into space following an epic journey aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket. 

Star Trek’s Captain James Kirk’s ‘one of a kind’ gun from his first appearance the 1960s sci-fi series is tipped to sell for $500,000 at an auction. Pictured left: William Shatner as Captain Kirk with the gun in 1966

The 34-inch rifle is carved out of wood and covered in metallic blue paint, with an aluminium shaft.

The show’s creator Gene Roddenberry wanted a ‘really big gun’ to add drama to the action scenes.

In the episode, it is also handled by Spock, played by Leonard Nimoy, prior to Kirk.

The gun was used on promotional material for Star Trek including an early lunch box.

However, this is the only time it featured on screen, making it highly desirable to collectors.

The prop is being sold by a private collector with Heritage Auctions, of Dallas, Texas, in a timed sale which ends on Thursday.

The 34-inch rifle (pictured) is carved out of wood and covered in metallic blue paint, with an aluminium shaft, was used by Captain Kirk who wielded the phaser rifle in the show's second pilot episode, 'Where No Man Has Gone Before', in 1966

The 34-inch rifle (pictured) is carved out of wood and covered in metallic blue paint, with an aluminium shaft, was used by Captain Kirk who wielded the phaser rifle in the show’s second pilot episode, ‘Where No Man Has Gone Before’, in 1966

William Shatner, 90, (pictured in blue astronaut suits) who played Captain Kirk, recently became the oldest person to go into space following an epic journey aboard Blue Origin's New Shepard rocket on October 13

William Shatner, 90, (pictured in blue astronaut suits) who played Captain Kirk, recently became the oldest person to go into space following an epic journey aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket on October 13

Joe Maddalena, executive vice president of Heritage, said: ‘The phaser rifle is the most iconic prop weapon from Star Trek (TOS) to have surfaced from the original series to date.

‘The images of Captain Kirk holding the phaser rifle are some of the most memorable from the series. It’s truly one of a kind and the best of the best.’

Shatner starred in the original Star Trek series from 1966 to 1969, and also in a string of films.  

He was on board the sub-orbital capsule Blue Origin on October 13, reaching an altitude of 351,186 feet above Earth’s surface where they spent three minutes in weightlessness during an 11 minute flight. 

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