I had a look at the ads and forums, and we don't have a clear picture of what the older HM's looked like, if they were called that at all. The ones that are marked Hudson Maxim on the dial are obvious, but these engraved watches may be something else. The engraved dial precludes any name being placed there, but I have seen wrist and trench versions with engraved centres, with a little strip milled flat in the engraving to place the name, be it Bulova or other brand.
If Bulova was so keen on advertising their Rubaiyat and Hudson Maxim watches, surely they would have marked them as such?
My ID of 17R is based on the keyless works fingerprint. This appears to be a Swiss Bulova design, not from any other ebauche. This is also true of the 17A, 17H, and 17AN. The 17TR was based on this, the 17R.
I have also seen Lord Springfields with the same serial number range, and same movts., but these are always marked 'Lord Springfield'.