Omani barrel.

[Pukka Bundook]

Thanks to Stu here on the Forum, I can say the barrel in this thread is Omani, and have a few questions about it;

1, I have seen barrels very similar to this, and in All cases the metal (gold?) in the cartouches has been removed.
This I can understand, as gold is valuable, but why in All cases?
These cartouches are all the same shape on the barrels I have seen, So!...
Were these cartouches stamped with a stamp of ownership?
Or, the maker's stamp?
I can see how if an owner sold off some arms/barrels, he may wish his stamp to be removed.

Any thoughts Gentlemen?

Also;
I gather such barrels were made over a long period.
Can anyone give in this case an idea of age?

And;
I have seen a few of these barrels stocked up.
The barrels appear high quality, yet the rest of the gun usually appears very rudimentary. Is there an explanation for this?

Thank you for your time,
Richard.
Edited to say I am having troublke attaching relevant photos of the cartouches in the barrel. will attach them ASAP.