Hi Raimey,
My sources say that "Verney jeune" in Lyon was a remote cousin to the St Etienne family, and that the firms are unrelated.
I can't easily find S.H. et Cie.
The fact that VC did not get a prize does not mean that they did not do any (barrels). There were many more barrel makers than the ones listed in the prize list (and very good ones at that)
As for the top lever stop, it might be explained by the fact that the Helice lockup system was adjustable for wear, and that hitting the stop meant that the adjustment had to be redone.
Best regards,
WC-