These are very desirable machines for parachute riggers and sailmakers. Riggers want them with a cam for doing a double throw, 308 federal, stitch needed in some applications. Sailmakers like them because a different cam allows them to do a triple throw zig zag used in sail making. The one pictured does NOT have a cam attachment. The cam on a 217N sticks above the main head casting. On a 217 the cams are smaller and you can not tell from a head on shot if it has a cam reader. I have a 217 with a cam reader and a 217N-08 without a cam reader. As a standard zig zag/straight stitch machine these are similar in quality to Pfaff 238's, which I also have.
$600 is a very good price for a 217N in the condition shown in the photos. You'll see folks wanting $1200 plus for the same machine in worse condition. A cam reader and or puller option increases the desirability and price. They are fairly rare, especially 217N with a cam reader. 217N as pictured are around.
If you need a quality zig zag machine $600 makes this a good buy. Not great, or a steal but very good. As to leather it will sew leather as any other drop feed medium weight industrial machine. It is not designed for it. It is not free arm. It is not walking foot. It may not solve your problem.
With Global now making 217N's some parts are available. Others aren't. They make the 217N-12. If you tell them you have a -08, even if the parts are the same for both, they will tell you they don't supply parts for it. Cam devices and cams are not available from Global.
A parachute rigger that didn't need the cam would snap this up. For what you want maybe not so much.
