"Is that one you mention for 17K in US dollars, or Austrailian dollars?"

US dollars.

Also to consider, the seller is a personal friend
of mine and 3 things.

1. Everything he owns is top notch, top of the tree
in terms of condition etc.

2. That gun has it's history, is cased with accessories.

3. His prices haven't changed for 10 years, regardless
of the exchange rate. Reason being, he isn't that interested in selling so take the $17k with a pinch of salt.

Unless it is a top notch gun - and I would use the one discussed above as a comparison - then I would say $17k
is a bit much unless all good.

It's a pity I didn't have more time as I could have got a photo of the NEW re proof marks of the one above and you could use it to compare to the one you are looking at.

.