THE "REX" BLUNDERBUSS BY BAKER OF LONDON

This may be the most preserved Blunderbus outside the Tower of London with provenance dating back to early Australian Settlement in Hobart. Manufactured by Ezekiel Baker (1758–1836) who was a master gunsmith from Whitechapel, London, who became known for his design of the Baker rifle in 1800.Considering the percussion cap was only invented in 1822 this blunderbuss,  is not a flintlock converted to percussion but an original percussion gun.It would have been one of his last guns. 

The percussion cap was invented in 1822 but never came into mass production until around the 1830s  Flintlock Blunderbusses first appeared around the 1740s and were the forerunner of the modern shotgun. Given this gun is not a flint lock conversion, but an original percussion gun it was probably made in late 1830s

A Nipple protector was found in the nipple. This was a brass wire, that the nipple was removed, the wire  inserted in the nipple, the nipple replaced and that allowed customers to dry fire a percussion gun without damage to the nipple or hammer. 

It was removed on sale by the gun seller.  

Why it was still in the nipple is a mystery.... unless this gun was never sold ?

The provenance of this gun goes back to the 1840s when it was imported to Australia.

Blunderbusses lost their appeal around the time that the percussion cap was invented as multi shot firearms like the pepper box revolvers became popular due to repetitive firing and size. 

The fact that the gun has been in the same family for generations may explain it's condition.

There is a working spring loaded bayonett as well as an engraved sliding safety catch.

The barrel is engraved with ' LONDON' and the British proof marks are on underside of  the barrel which confirms he date range.