Where would I find the best place and person to contact for an
auction, of a black power rifle, Dated 1760, Manf. = Vernon

Greetings Biomedbob:

I found a few auction houses online that deal in antique firearms. 
Because you didn't specify wheyher you were buying or selling the
Vernon, I also included some dealers in my list because consignment
was mentioned on their sites and dealers usually have a broad network
of collector contacts.  I suggest you contact Ron Gabel (see his info
at bottom of my list) and query him on the history of the Vernon.

A-Gun.com
http://www.a-gun.com/

Lewis Drake and Associates
"Presenting the finest in rare antique guns and vintage firearms... 
from shotguns, rifles, fowlers, and pistols to the best in shooting
sports accessories."
http://www.drake.net/

AntiqueGuns.com
http://www.antiqueguns.com/

Arms and Armor Auctions
"Welcome to ArmsandArmourAuctions.com, the largest marketplace in the
world for arms and armour. Here at ArmsAndArmourAuctions.com we are
dedicated to bringing you the most information regarding sales of
collectible weapons and militaria around the world."
http://www.armsandarmourauctions.com/

Contra Costa
http://www.cccfirearms.com/

Matched pairs - English guns only [I didn't know if the Vernon was of
English origin so I have included this link]
"Matched Pairs is a unique worldwide service specialising in fine,
high-quality English and Scottish guns. Whether you're buying or
selling, or trying to match illusive pairs and trios, we'll find
exactly what you want - anywhere in the world!  Our website offers you
unrivalled buying and selling opportunities since it is visited
regularly by thousands of subscribers from Britain and abroad who
share a passion for fine guns."
http://www.matchedpairs.com/

Martin B. Retting
"Established: 1928 - Antique and Modern Firearms & Knives - We
inventory both new and used firearms. The majority of guns listed on
this site are pre-owned."
http://www.retting.com/

The Powder Horn Gun Shop
"Welcome to the Powder Horn Gunshop web site. We have a wide variety
of antique arms, militaria and other historical memorabilia for sale
and are looking to buy and consign single pieces or entire collections
for our shop in Middleburg, Virginia."
http://www.phgsinc.com/

ArmsBid
http://armsbid.com/guns_shipping.cfm

Antique Classic Collectible Firearms
http://www.kingantiquearms.com/

The Armchair Gun Show
http://www.armchairgunshow.com/

Dixie Gun Works
http://www.huntfish.net/Detail.asp?ID=2101

GunBroker.com
http://www.gunbroker.com/


I located these links from a large link list at
http://www.bangcorp.com/links/guns.html and from my search strategy
list below.


ANTIQUE FIREARMS EXPERT:

Ron Gabel - Gabel Guns
"Since 1997, Ron Gabel has been answering your pre-1898 Antique
Firearms questions. Nearly 2000 of them!!! Also since 1997,
GabelGuns.com has been entirely free to our users."
http://www.gabelguns.com/default.asp
mailto:firearms@gabelguns.com
or use the online query form at
http://www.gabelguns.com/QuestionsAndAnswers/SubmitAQuestion.asp?TransitionShown=Y


I hope one of my links proves to gain you the information you are
looking for and if you have need of clarification of any of the links
or information I have provided, please request it and I will be happy
to respond.


SEARCH STRATEGY:

antique firearms auction dealer
antique firearms expert vernon
"vernon rifle" expert
antique rifle expert
"antique firearms expert"

Thank you. It is a very good start for me.

Thank you for your rating, comments and your added generosity!  In
addition, I spoke with my father, a past amateur weapons collector,
and he suggested I search "black powder" gun clubs for you to contact
concerning the history of the rifle.  I found a few more links that
may help.

Black Powder Shooters
http://www.blackpowdershooters.com/

Muzzleloader Magazine Clubs listing
http://www.muzzleloadermag.com
(Scroll down to the "Clubs" link and click on it - I would have posted
the exact URL but it's a framed page)

Muzzleloader Magazine also hosts a discussion page at
http://www.muzzleloadermag.com/disc16_toc.htm for the discussion of
pre-1840 topics.  You might post there and for information and see
what results.

Black Powder Muzzleloader's links
http://home.attbi.com/~americanfirearmpage/blackpowder.htm

Dixie Gun Works
http://www.dixiegun.com/

NRA list of gun collectors' clubs 
http://www.nrahq.org/museum/programs/collectororg.asp


I hope these additional links are of assistance in discovering some
history of the Vernon.