half stock antique need info

[billymas]

This old percusion rifle i bought has WM Varney burlington VT. and Muzzy&co.stamped on the barrel in the usual location.It has a half stock with a fish belly profile 31 inch barrel back action lock.Can anyone research this maker for me please.Ive tried and cant seem to get any where thank you

 

Billy,
I found a listing for a David M. Varney in Burlington, Vermont, 1842-1875. The Muzzy&co. may indicate it was made for, or by, a hardware supplier who often sold guns.
Mark

 

[billymas]

Hey Mark,
thanks for the reply........didn't think anyone would answer. Gonna try to do more research on this. Where do you find this information?

Bill

 

[ResearchPress]

Varney's listed with the above data as a general gunsmith in A.Merwyn Carey's "American Firearms Makers" (Thomas Y Crowell Company, New York, 1953).

David

 

[Zonie]

One of my Gunsmiths books also lists a David M. Barney, Burlington, Vt, 1850 but that's all it says.

May be a relative of WM?

 

[billymas]

Thanks everyone for your time,and it is D M Varney.I thought the D was a B and off the top of my head I typed W for William.This gun is all there,but the stock is broken and part of the forearm missing. I'll trace the profile and shape out a new one,butkeep the old.Back action lock is strong and bore 40 cal. looks good hardware is kind of fancy ohioish looking.

 

Billy,
I found the listing for Varney, several of them, in the book "American Gunsmiths" by Frank M. Sellers. Good luck.
Mark