General
All versions of the model 17 are based on the
Lefaucheux
, which can be recognized by generally a metal front stock and the long lever to unlock and open the barrel. The model 17 has a metal front stock, in earlier guns, like the model 14,these front stock were from wood. The so called “bar in wood” guns. Together with the model 20 it is the most manufactured model, in total 90.000 copies were manufactured from 1878 until 1956 in different configurations. The side by side shotgun model 17 started its life in 1877 and ended in 1942.
The model 17 is made in 6 different models. A clear distinction can be made between the double barrel hammer shotguns and the combination hammer guns. With the name (Äldsta, Äldra and Nye) the model and manufacturing date of the shotgun is indicated. The model specification of the combination guns is based on the caliber of the rifled barrel. Information on the combination guns can be found under combination / double guns, see shotgun menu.
| Shotguns | Calibre | Period |
| Äldsta (Oldest) | 12/65 or 16/65 pinfire | 1877 till 1899 |
| Äldra (Older) | 12/65 or 16/65 | 1877 till 1899 |
| Nye (New) | 12/65 or 16/65 | 1900 till 1942 |
It is also possible that the shotgun barrel will have straight rifling. The reason for this is that it was thought to give round balls some degree of stability in flight, while at the same time it wouldn’t disrupt the shot pattern to much.
Other source tell that the rifling made it legally possible to hunt different game with the same rifle.
Äldsta model
The oldest model 17 was first build in 1877 as a pinfire gun and the production ended in 1899 as a center fire gun. It was called the Äldsta model (Oldest model). The caliber of this guns was 12/65 or 16/65, center fire or pinfire. The back action hammerlocks are 12 cm (4.7 inch) long. The front side of the lock plate, where it touches the action, is milled under an angle. On the picture this is clearly visible.
The barrel can be made out of steel or damast steel and is 73-75 cm (28.5-29.5 inch) long. Other lengths where made on special order.
This model has no engraving, but some of these models could have some plain engravings. The stock is made of walnut and has a pistol grip. And is delivered with or without a cheek piece and also with or without a checkering.
Typical for this model is the very long trigger guard. The butt plate is made of steel.
Pictures of a factory restored model 17 Äldsta model, caliber 12/65 pinfire.
Äldra model
The model 17 Äldra model is the same as the Äldsta model. The only difference is that the Äldra model is delivered as center fire gun.
The rim on the hammers is almost equal to the model 15.
Pictures of a model 17 Äldra model, caliber 16/65.
Nye model
The model 17 Nye model has also the Lefaucheux mechanism to lock the barrel as all of the model 17’s. The back action hammerlocks have a 11 cm long lock plate, which is radial aligned with the action. After 1900 the hammers have a rim. The 75 cm long barrel is made out of steel. The burnished stock is made of walnut and has a checkered pistol grip. The gun was delivered with or without a cheek piece. The butt stock is made of steel and the gun has only edge engraving on the metal parts. The model 17 Nye model was produced between 1900 and 1942. Delivered numbers during 1912 and 1942 was approximately 8.900 pieces in calibre 12, approximately 2.900 pieces in calibre 16 and a small number in calibre 20. The price for each was 54 kronor in 1900 and 174 kronor in 1942.
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