Tim,
My gun serial number is in the low 70,000 range, and the code on the barrel is CB-April of 1933, from what I know. No markings on the slide.
I have owned this gun 30 seasons as of September 17 of this year. When I got it, it had a Cutts on it, which rang like a bell when you shot it. Stan Baker shortened the barrel to 21", backbored it, installed screw in chokes and sold me two chokes, neither of which is marked-you stick a pinky finger in to tell which is tighter. It handles about like a 26" barrel double, I suppose, but, is a bit loud, and light, for all day type shooting. It hits birds hard.
Back when the world was a younger place, I used this gun when I was guiding birdhunts in central MN. It is the only gun I have shot a woodcock and grouse limit in one day with-5 of each. I got close a few years later with a 20 gauge Darne, but the last woodcock eluded me. I don't shoot limits of anything anymore, and usually knock off after a brace of birds.
It was my first repeater, and was purchased from my fathers deer hunting partner for $50, Jimmy Carter era dollars, and I dug bait and mowed grass all summer it seemed like to get it. Prime duty these days is a loaner for a cetain gunless friend (his wife won't let one in the house, or so he says) or as a first use gun for gun safety class kids, and, more often than not, their Moms or Dads. I haven't used it for perhaps a decade, but, I could never sell it. I refinished the wood in 1979 (it needs it again) and hurriedly installed a Galazon red recoil pad after the old Pachmayer that was on it broke in two in the mid 1990s! I should fit it up better one of these days.
Worth mentioning is the fact that I own two of the Kings Ferry Ithacas, a big 3" 12 with a deerslayer stock, used for trap, and a 16 Ultrafeatherlight with an aluminum receiver. This is a rare bird, they built less than 500 from what I understand, and with screw chokes and steel shot capability, something I should probably hang on to.
Enjoy the 17. I've been keeping an eye open for a spare barrel that is a bit longer for 20 plus years or so now, but, really don't need it. Mine handles great as is.
Best,
Ted
