New Member - Early Model 17 identification

[Karacing]

New Member - I have, what appears to be a very early Model 17. It is marked "The Remington Arms Union Metallic Cartridge Co Inc" Model 17 (top of barrel) with low 4 digit serial number (21xx) and no reciever side markings. patent date June 15, 1915 with B0 above the serial number. It is marked "FULL" on the left site of the barrel above the SN with a small "sun" stamp near the reciever. It also has a "REP" stamp in an oval with a small circle below (or partial - appears to be offcenter stamping) It appears to have the 28 inch barrel (measured 27" from barrel end to reciever - not disasembled yet) It also has a "REMINGTON UMC" buttplate.

I have reviewed other posts and have found bits and pieces of info but nothing definitive on date. Some of the info seems to indicate the very early ones may be impossible to accurately date.

Condition - Still fully functional but well used. Appears to be all original and NO restoration attempts.

Trying to determine manufacture date and value.

Any help would be appreciated

Model 17 pics

Model 17 Pics.png (2.47 MiB) Viewed 5486 times

[Researcher]

The Model 17 was introduced in the first Remington Arms Co. catalog circa late 1920/early 1921.

Model 17 Catalog No. 51 pg 25.JPG (120.98 KiB) Viewed 5466 times

Model 17 Catalog No. 51 pg 26.JPG (125.94 KiB) Viewed 5466 times

For some reason the barrels up to at least the 28xxx serial number range are roll-stamped with the previous company name "The Remington Arms Union Metallic Cartridge Co., Inc." Remington Arms Co., Inc. began stamping a two-letter date code on their barrels during 1921, but I don't see a date code on your barrel in the pictures provided. Perhaps removing the barrel will reveal a date code. The year letter for 1921 is M.

Unfortunately, the first Model 17 page is missing from the old factory ledger. Page 2 begins with Jan. 19, 1926, when the highest serial number receiver put in work had reached 35637.

I think we can safely say 2102 is first year production.

[Karacing]

Thanks for the info.

I removed the barrel and did not find any other markings. I did find two other interesting things....

When I pulled the barrel and removed the retainer cap I found a piece of wood in it. At first I was like, that is odd. I pulled it out and it actually has Remington markings on it - What is it?

Also I removed the butt plate to see if the cleaning kit was there. Nope. I did however find something very interesting - 2 hunting licenses, 1924 and 1925, rolled up in one of the compartments. That is kinda cool.

Any idea on the value of the gun?

[Mainspring]

That is the magazine plug, it limits the capacity for hunting legality.

[Researcher]

They don't command a lot unless in near mint condition or the higher grades. My Model 17 A "Standard" Grade in similar condition, but with a much more scarce 28-inch solid rib improved cylinder barrel was $200 out the door at a local pawn shop in 2019. Been a lot of fun for little money.

[Karacing]

Thanks for the additional info.

So if I am not hunting with it, can I remove it? Is it that easy or is there something else to do to increase the number of shells it will hold?

[Mainspring]

It's just for hunting purposes, removing it should not be an issue. If you live in an anti-gun jurisdiction there might be some local reasons for leaving it in, a call to your gunshop should inform one way or the other. No other way to increase magazine capacity.