Model 17 Info Needed

[Gamemaster32]

The materials at my disposal indicate it originally came with a plain buttstock and ribbed forestock. However, I've noted several photos of 17s with checkered forestocks & buttstocks very similar in appearance to those on the Model 29. Others appear to have the checkering pattern of the Model 29 on the buttstock only; with the standard ribbed forestock.

I understand they were offered in A thru F Grades. Would that explain things?

Any insight will be most apprecated.

TIA

[Researcher]

The Model No. 17 first appears in the Remington Arms Co., Inc. Catalogue No. 107, 1923. The No. 17A "Standard" Grade is shown with a plain stock and ringed forearm. At that time, the Model No. 11A "Standard" Grade, and the Model No. 10A "Standard Grade both had plain stocks and plain or ringed forearms. The No. 17B "Special" Grade had a stock and forearm of selected imported walnut checkered. The higher grades No. 17D "Tournament" Grade, No. 17E "Expert" Grade, and No. 17F "Premier" Grade had increasingly finer imported walnut and checkering, and increasing amounts of hand engraving. The 1929 and 1930 Remington Arms Co., Inc. catalogues, continue to show the Model 17A "Standard" Grade with the plain stock and ringed forearm. By the 1929 catalogue the Model 11 had gotten the crossbolt safety and the Model 11A "Standard" Grade had gotten checkering on the stock and forearm. The Model No. 10 had been replaced by the Model 29, and the Model 29A "Standard" Grade had a checkered stock and forearm. The 1931 to 1933 Remington Arms Co., Inc. catalogues show the Model 17A "Standard" Grade with a checkered stock and forearm, but don't mention checkering in the text. The Model 17R "Riot" Grade was still shown with the plain stock and ringed forearm.

[Gamemaster32]

Thanks for your prompt input Researcher.

I've been looking at a particular Model 17 with checkered buttstock & ringed forend. Based upon its appearance (i.e. wood color & uniform wear), and in conjunction with your info, & my limited research, its very likely original.

Are these uncommon in very-good original condition?

I know it's very subjective, and I've checked the current price books...in your opinion what's the high ballpark figure for an all-original, clean, unmessed-with example in approximately 65-70% condition?



Thanks

[Researcher]

Remington Model 17 -- Remington Arms Co., Inc. manufactured approximately 73,000 Model 17 pump shotguns from 1921 to 1933. While production stopped in 1933, they were actually cleaning up and selling guns out of inventory until 1941. The gun was based on a John M. Browning Patent No. 1,143,170 granted June 15, 1915. However, Remington was gearing up for WW-I at that time and it would be six more years before the gun came out. Remington's designer John D. Pedersen made design refinements in 1919 (applications filed Sept. 15, 1919, Patent No. 1,429,621 granted Sept. 19, 1922 and Patent No. 1,487,799 granted Mar. 25, 1924) and G.H. Garrison made further improvements. It was the patents on these improvements that forced Ithaca to wait until 1937 to bring out their copy of this gun, though Ithaca had actually built some guns by 1932. Actually Pedersen has so many patent applications filed in that 1919 time frame it is hard to tell which really apply!

In that only about 73000 were made, most 80 to 90 years ago, finding one in really high condition is rare. I've seen so few for sale, I really don't have a feeling for what they go for.

[Gamemaster32]

I think it's time to add one to my collection.