The company was founded in 1820 by gunmaker Claude Verney (1800–1870), who came from a family of prominent gunsmiths since 1650, and at the age of 20 won first prize in an armory competition (French: Concours d'Armurerie) held by the City of Saint-Etienne.
Starting in 1936, Verney-Carron diversified by adding fishing and tennis equipment distribution as well as bicycle manufacturing to its business portfolio, which helped the company to survive the difficult years of the Second World War.
At the end of World War II, the company rebuilt by assembling six manufacturers, under the name Groupement d'Exploitation des Fabricants d'Armes Réunis (GEFAR).
In 1963, Verney-Carron absorbed SIFARM, a combination of the venerable manufacturers Berthon Frères, Francisque Darne, Didier-Drevet, Gerest and Ronchard-Cizeron, along with the famous barrel maker Jean Breuil.
This arrangement lasted over ten years and contributed to total renovation of the company's quality control, and allowed Verney-Carron to expand steadily in a continually depressed market.