Remington Model 17 Police Special: The Shockwave a Century Ago

Duration: 09:01

Remington introduced the Model 17 as a lightweight 20ga pump shotgun in 1921. In addition to a variant of sporting grades and a 20” barreled riot model, they also offered the “Police Special” configuration. This was a 14.5 inch barrel with a 4+1 capacity and a Shockwave-style pistol grip in place of a normal shoulder stock (although the guns were generally supplied with a spare stock as well). These were intended as a very compact option for special police requirements - stakeouts, undercover work, or a need to conceal a shotgun on an officer’s person. Only a few hundred were sold, and they are a very interesting side of fighting shotgun history.