Elvis’ revolver up for auction to commemorate his death

August 5, 2023

The King’s gun is hitting the auction block.

Elvis Presley’s beloved Smith & Wesson Model 53 revolver is being auctioned at Rock Island Auction Co. on Aug. 26 — 10 days after the anniversary of the rock legend’s 1977 death.

The handgun was gifted to Presley.

“One of the mysteries around the gun is it was presented as a gift to Elvis Presley and then where does it go … For all the documentation that accompanies this revolver … that’s one of the pieces of information we don’t have,” the auction house’s Joel Kolander said.

It was ordered in 1976, just nine months before Elvis’ death, at Hiram’s Guns in El Cajon, CA, “but there’s no name on there for who’s ordering this gift for Elvis,” he explained.

“It’s likely one of the last firearms he would have received in his entire life and at his passing, he had about 37 different arms, including machine guns.”

Elvis Presley's revolver — The Smith & Wesson was likely one of the last guns Elvis ever got.

elvis looking at guns — The singer had about 37 different guns, including machine guns, an expert said.

A letter certifying that the gun was engraved for Presley.

It’s expected to sell for $60,000 to $90,000. It features gold and silver inlay, and is engraved with the words: “in 1976 for a Bi-centennial Commemorative gift for Elvis Presley, factory ordered from Hiram’s of California.”

In 2017, the Illinois-based auctioneer sold two of Presley’s revolvers — one went for $172,500 and the other, for $195,500.