When you are the supreme, unchallenged leader of a little country, you pretty much run out of things to spend on. And that’s when you decide that your little killing machine, that AK-47 or some assault rifle, can do with a little bling. There have been examples, throughout history… of leaders spending massive sums to “glam” up their weapons. Former Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi had his gold collection and Iraq’s Saddam Hussein had a chrome-plated AK-47… considered to be one his most valuable possessions. Here, we list a few more, you can buy if you’ve just inherited or taken over, an entire population.
Gaddafi’s golden guns - ($ 500,000)
Libya’s former ruler loved gold. He had a flyswatter covered in gold, had statues of himself made from the precious metal and when the rebels tracked him down to a hideout on the outskirts of Tripoli, he was carrying a golden handgun — a Browning Hi Power, a 9mm handgun used extensively around the world. The rebel soldier who shot Gaddafi down was declared a war hero and news footage of him waving the golden handgun around was beamed around the world — and auction houses were left drooling over the photos. Estimated value? At least $500,000 and now, probably much more.
The VO Vapen - ($ 820,000)
Designed and manufactured by VO Vapen, a Swedish gun manufacturer, these handmade devices of war are still available and completely legal to own — provided you have the documents and the money. However, only five of these will ever be made and one is apparently “nearing completion”. VO Vapen is considered a favourite of royalty worldwide. Featuring intricate carvings throughout, the gun has engravings of Saker and Peregrine falcons, a tribute to tradition of falconry.
Holland & Holland “Royal” Deluxe Double Rifle - ($ 228,000)
Getting shot by one of these could be a privilege. Holland and Holland guns claim they make their weapons by hand and the company also say at least 850 manhours go into the making of one of these. Aficionados also claim these guns are highly reliable and accurate but are seldom seen in popular use because of their price. The British Royal family own a few of these and it’s rumoured that American President Theodore Roosevelt was a very happy customer too.
The Gold Desert Eagle - ($ 10,000)
It’s considered one of the most powerful handguns in the world — the Desert Eagle, designed by the Israelis. But just to make them even more special, manufacturers Magnum Research and Israeli Military Industries, made a few hundred of these pieces laced with with titanium gold finishes. Due to modifications in the body, these limited editions didn’t really catch on with shooters but it’s another story when it comes to collectors and gun enthusiasts. You can still pick up one up, if you have at least $10,000 to spare.
Adolf Hitler’s golden ‘Bond’ gun - ($ 114,000)
Yup, Hitler owned the gun made famous by Ian Fleming’s secret agent James Bond. Legend is that the leader of Nazi Germany was gifted a gold version of the Walther PP, by the people who made the gun, on his 50th birthday. He never fired the weapon and it remained high up on his shelf. This was in 1939. But a few historians are adamant that Hitler used this very weapon to shoot himself in the head as allied troops approached Germany. Another version claims the gun was quietly pocketed by an American soldier as troops trashed Hitler’s apartment. Carrying the initials, ‘A.H’ and a grip coated in ivory, the gun was sold for $114,000 at a 1987 auction to a private bidder. It’s now worth at least a few millions.
Saddam Hussein’s golden AK - (Estimated 1 million USD)
The man had an entire collection of these things. From gold-plated sniper rifles to guns made entirely of gold. The collection was ransacked by rebel and American troops as soon as Saddam’s palace fell into the hands of occupiers and last year, two American men were indicted on charges of conspiracy to transport seven of these stolen guns. Nobody really knows where the rest of the guns are and it’s strongly believed that many weapons from the collection are still in circulation within Iraq itself.
