A police spokesman confirmed Dunedin firearms licensing officers removed a World War1-era tripod-mounted Vickers machine gun from Montecillo Veterans Home and Hospital on February 7.
The confiscation came after officers received a report about the gun being unsecured, in plain view and potentially still operable, the spokesman said.
The seizure was conducted under the Arms Act 1983 and associated security requirements.
Police had since assessed the firearm as being able to be made operable and were storing it while they attempted to locate its owner.
Montecillo Trust chairman David James More said the gun had been bolted down and had been on display for many years, including at the home’s old location in Mornington before 2006.
"Nobody can find exactly who gave it to us," Mr More said.
He believed the donor was probably long since dead.
The seizure of the gun had caused asome amusement among residents.
However, no-one was too worried, as they were hopeful of getting it back, he said.
"If it went away permanently then I think people would be concerned."
He said the incident highlighted a problem with the Arms Act which needed to be amended, in that firearms could only be owned by an individual.
The same "bloody ridiculous" interpretation could also severely affect the Returned and Services’ Association, as many of its premises displayed old military guns across the country, Mr More said.
He was hopeful the gun would be returned and Veterans’ Affairs New Zealand would help cover costs for refixing it.
