Just because a Remington Model 17 has checkered wood doesn't make it a Model 17B "Special" Grade. As originally introduced the Model 17A "Standard Grade had plain wood and a ringed forearm just like the Model 10A. From the 1921 Remington Arms Co., Inc. Catalogue No. 51 --
From the 1923 Remington Arms Co., Inc. catalogue --
When Remington Arms Co., Inc. moved to the Model 29, the Model 29A "Standard" Grade had a checkered stock and forearm and shortly thereafter they began supplying the Model 17A "Standard" Grade with a checkered stock and forearm. From the 1930 Remington Arms Co. Inc. catalogue --
A real Model 17B "Special" Grade would be marked B-GRADE on the left side of the receiver like this Sportsman B "Special" Grade --
