Rifle butt carvings

Aware of my interest in military history and collectibles, David George, an overseas contact, recently asked whether I knew of any rifles in Malta that had butt carvings or markings.

At first it sounded strange to me but I later realised that it was common practice for particular rifles captured in an engagement or presented as trophies to have an inscription or crest commemorating the event carved onto the rifle's butt.

Although not a very well-known interest, this is another line of research associated with arms collecting, to the extent that Mr George has published a book, Carvings from the Veldt, which deals with such trophies from the Anglo-Boer War of 1899-1902. He is now in the process of writing a follow-up.

Mr George would appreciate any Maltese arms collectors or museum who have such rifles and wish to share this information with him to write to him at david.george7@bigpond.com.