CCTV of the alleged break-in at Lithgow Small Arms Factory Museum in August. (Supplied: NSW Police)
Police are investigating the alleged theft of dozens of weapons from a gun museum in the New South Wales Central West.
Some of the handguns date back to the 1880s and their combined value is estimated at more than $200,000.
Police are appealing for assistance from the public to locate the stolen firearms.
Police are appealing for help to find dozens of historical handguns allegedly stolen from a weapons museum in the state's Central West.
Officers were called to the Lithgow Small Arms Factory Museum on August 25 after three people wearing balaclavas allegedly stole 27 handguns worth an estimated $200,000.
The trio drove off in a silver Toyota LandCruiser, believed to have been stolen from Nowra on the state's south coast two days earlier.
It was then found burnt out in Bathurst a few hours later.
The vehicle involved in the theft was found a short time later burnt out in Bathurst. (Supplied: NSW Police)
In a statement released today, Drug and Firearms Squad Commander Detective Superintendent John Watson, said there were real concerns the firearms could be made operational.
"This crime has links to multiple regions of the state, so there are real concerns these firearms could also be spread across NSW," he said.
"We are especially concerned about these firearms being in the hands of criminals in Nowra, Lithgow, and all the communities between.
"Stolen firearms are a common currency within organised crime networks, which is why we are asking the community to help us find these firearms and identify those involved in their theft."
Lithgow Small Arms Factory Museum secretary Kerry Guerin. (ABC Central West: Hamish Cole )
The secretary of the weapons museum, Kerry Guerin, said some of the guns stolen were almost 150 years old.
"They were part of a collection of weapons from all around the world and the weapons are from the early 1860s up to the 1970s," he said.
"They are irreplaceable."
Some of the weapons were used in World War I and World War II including the P-38 Walther Luxus, a handgun commonly used by the Nazis.
NSW Police are concerned the weapons could be made operational despite some dating back to the 1880s. (Supplied: NSW Police)
Mr Guerin questioned whether the criminals who stole the guns could get them working again.
"They could be made operational but it would be incredibly difficult; you would need to have a highly skilled machinist with access to heat treatment equipment," he said.
But Detective Superintendent Watson said criminals knew what they were doing.
"We know that criminals are out there manufacturing various parts, so its not beyond the realms that they already know what they have got, and have started the manufacturing process," he said.
Exhibits have now been removed from their usual display at Lithgow Small Arms Factory Museum. (ABC Central West: Hamish Cole)
Mr Guerin said the museum showcased a special part of Australia's history.
"Since 1912 the factory was supplying firearms to our military force … it brought Australia back after the second world war with commercial enterprise," he said.
Mr Guerin said due to the theft and ongoing investigations, it was unlikely the museum would be able to reopen before Christmas.
"It was looking to be our best year yet … now that has all gone down the drain," he said.
"We are completely gutted and devastated.
"The thing you can't get over is someone would do that to a museum that is there for the public."