The Model 17 Marlin was a very short lived (3 years) model..1906, 07, 08.
Solid frame only, straight grip only IIRC.
A-grade, Brush Gun and Riot Gun
A Grade came with 30 or 32" bbl,,full choke and was chambered for 2 3/4" (though 2 5/8 was the more common 12ga shell of the day)
Brush Gun was 26" cyl choke though you could spec order Full or Mod choke bbls.
Riot was a 20" cyl bbl.
Slide latch release button on the right rear side of the frame was moved to the bottom in front of the guard when a 'hang fire safety' was added to the gun. These were cataloged as Model 17G shotguns.
With this, you have to use the slide latch to open the gun on the event of a dry fire or 'dud' round. Several other Marlin hammer pumps and all of their hammerless pump models have this feature.
Some other mfg of the period also incorporate this in their design at least for a while. I guess ammo wasn't too trustworthy!!
Marlins Model 19 shotgun was made during the same period and was everything the Model 17 was but a Takedown as well. The Model 19 was their main seller during that time and was offered in different high grades and as well as a Trap gun (as a Model 21).
With all that said,,I personally don't trust the Marlin 'hammer' pump shotguns for shooting.
The lock-up is flimsy at best and in all but a couple the breech bolt can close and the hammer drop and fire w/o it's locking bolt being engaged.
There is really not much that holds the breech block from exiting the frame to the rear except the small interlock betw the pump op-rod and the block.
I know a lot of them are shot and continue to be, but call me silly, but I like the ugly face God gave me.
Having worked in the Repair Dept at Marlin many years ago where these were strictly a 'No Repair' because of the design faults & seeing the examples they had on hand where the bolt had left the frame because of the lockup failure made me a believer.
Their Hammerless pumps are no problem as they have a bolt to rec'vr lockup similar to most any other pump shotgun,,in the roof of the rec'vr. Just take it easy on the loads, none are very young anymore.
JMHO of course. Take it for what it's worth...
