Elvis Presley’s prized Smith & Wesson model 53 double-action revolver has sold for a whopping $200,000 at auction.
The gun was gifted to the Jailhouse Rock singer nine months before his death at the age of 42 in 1977.
TMZ reported that the piece of memorabilia went for $199,750 through Rock Island Auction Company.
The final bid more than doubled what the revolver was expected to fetch, with the predicted price being $60,000 to $90,000.
While the late Can’t Help Falling In Love hitmaker was known for his velvety-smooth baritone, Elvis also loved collecting guns when he wasn’t sending fans into hysterics during his live shows.
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Fit for a king: Elvis Presley’s prized Smith & Wesson model 53 double-action revolver has sold for a whopping $200,000 at auction (seen in March 1957)
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Prized: The gun was gifted to the Jailhouse Rock singer nine months before his death at the age of 42 in 1977
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Collector: While the late Can’t Help Falling In Love hitmaker was known for his velvety-smooth baritone, Elvis also loved collecting guns when he wasn’t sending fans into hysterics during his live shows
Elvis would practice his aim at his Graceland shooting range, and was known for carrying a gun with him during his concerts in the last years of his life.
According to the Rock Island Auction house website, the Blue Suede Shoes singer reportedly had 37 firearms and a machine gun at the time of his death, including the revolver.
Elvis’s revolver was specially engraved by Russell J. Smith, a master engraver at Smith & Wesson in 1976 as a special, bi-centennial commemorative gift for the famous entertainer.
Per a letter from Russell himself, the historic item was factory ordered from Hiram’s of California especially for the Unchained Melody musician.
Details on Elvis’s revolver include a gold American eagle with the American flag in its talons on one side, with thirteen stars to represent the original thirteen colonies and the phrase, ‘The Spirit of ’76’ carved in gold banner underneath the flag.
The other side of the gun includes a gold-embossed minuteman flanked by two silver stars.
The years 1776-1976 are engraved on both sides of the barrel and the custom-made piece also features an 18K gold ramp sight.
Sadly, the Hound Dog singer had less than a year to enjoy his custom gift.
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Extensive: According to the Rock Island Auction house website, the Blue Suede Shoes singer reportedly had 37 firearms and a machine gun at the time of his death, including the revolver (pictured in Flaming Star promo with Barbara Eden in 1960)
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The original heartthrob: The King also carried guns due to the amount of death threats he received over the course of his career (pictured on set of Jailhouse Rock)
He passed away in Memphis on August 16 1977, with doctors declaring that his cause of death was due to a cardiac arrhythmia.
It is unknown who actually ordered the specially made revolver for the Blue Hawaii star.
Even 46 years after his death, there is still a huge appetite for Elvis memorabilia, with his custom-made mink and leather coat which he wore in the final months of his life emerging for sale for £15,000 last month.
The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll rummaged through his closet at Graceland and picked it out for his fiancée’s brother shortly before he died.
Elvis was romantically involved with 20-year-old Ginger Alden and wanted her brother Mike Alden to have the coat because he was fond of him and intended to hire him as his bodyguard.
Mike treasured the jacket for a number of years before donating it to a nationwide raffle.
It has changed hands several times since and is now going under the hammer at auctioneers Henry Aldridge & Son, of Devizes, Wiltshire.
The 47ins long jacket has a leather collar, shoulders and pockets, with eight buttons at the front.
Priscilla Presley shows collection of Elvis’ jewelry up for auction
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Wow! Even 46 years after his death, there is still a huge appetite for Elvis memorabilia, with his custom-made mink and leather coat which he wore in the final months of his life emerging for sale for £15,000 last month
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Treasured gift: Elvis was romantically involved with 20-year-old Ginger Alden and wanted her brother Mike Alden to have the coat because he was fond of him and intended to hire him as his bodyguard (Elvis and Ginger pictured in 1977)
It is sold with a letter of provenance from Rosemary Starkey, Mike and Ginger’s sister.
She wrote: ‘This mink jacket is authentic and was given to my brother Mike Alden who is also a brother to my sister Ginger Alden who was Elvis’s fiancée at the time of his death.
‘One night while my sister Ginger was at Graceland visiting, Elvis decided to go through his closet and asked Ginger if he thought that Mike could wear this mink jacket as my brother was about the same size of Elvis and Elvis wanted to give it to him as he was very fond of Mike.
‘Elvis had also planned on hiring our brother Mike to be his personal bodyguard as he was going to replace a couple of the ones he had working for him. However, Elvis died before he could hire Mike.
‘I remember Elvis wearing this mink jacket the last year of his life as he wore it when he came over to our home on occasional visits.’
The jacket is being sold alongside Elvis’s 14 carat gold pendant necklace, which he gifted to a friend in 1975, and is valued at £1,500.
The superstar’s 14 carat gold owl-shaped ring, which he gave to a concert goer at a 1973 show in Lake Tahoe, could fetch £15,000.
An Elvis medallion and chain with inset ruby and diamonds could make £1,500, while a concert ID badge for his inner circle is valued at £800.
Impressive: The superstar’s 14 carat gold owl-shaped ring (left), which he gave to a concert goer at a 1973 show in Lake Tahoe, could fetch £15,000 and the 14 carat gold pendant necklace (right) which Elvis gifted to a friend is valued at £1,500
The items have been consigned for sale from a UK private collector who was amassed an impressive array of Elvis memorabilia.
Auctioneer Andrew Aldridge said: ‘The mink coat symbolises Elvis of the 1970s and his Las Vegas look with its glitzy glamour.
‘It is a fantastic item with an excellent provenance, while the owl ring is also very impressive.
‘There is a reason they call Elvis the King of Rock ‘N’ Roll and that appeal rings true with collectors.’
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