Cromwell RSA welfare support officer Fraser Scott said two World War 1 German machine guns, presented to Cromwell mayor D. C. Jolly in 1921, were missing.
Known as war trophies, or spoils of war, the guns were allocated to Otago in September 1920 by the New Zealand military forces administration in Wellington.
After World War 1, governments including those in Australia and New Zealand distributed thousands of captured, deactivated weapons for public display in parks and sometimes schools.
It was believed the weapons would evoke pride, commemorate fallen soldiers and display the prowess of the victors.
The weapons were all disabled before being distributed.
Spoils of war were distinct from personal souvenirs, as they were officially sanctioned and curated for public display or museum collections.
The guns that had gone missing were both a heavy machine gun MG 08 — one bore the serial number 0718 and the other 4942, Mr Scott said.
Number 4942 was captured by the 2nd Otago Infantry Battalion in October 1918 while they were in Salesches, France, as part of the advance towards Germany.
That day the battalion captured 204 prisoners, 14 machine guns and one 77mm field gun.
It was not clear when Cromwell’s trophies went missing.
Other spoils of war had gone missing over the decades, Mr Scott said.
Fifteen machine guns were presented to Invercargill.
However, they were buried and later discovered in the foundations of an Invercargill building in 1981.
"They were possibly dumped in a fit of 1920s pacifism.
"We are hoping this was not the case with the two guns that we are seeking. Any light that can be shed on this matter would be greatly appreciated."
On a more positive note, the trophy field gun which stood in the RSA memorial garden was bring refurbished in Wānaka.
"It will be back in time for our 2026 Anzac Day service at the new cenotaph location," Mr Scott said.
