Help on Lang Propeller

[spyboy49]

Gentlemen,
I could use your help and expertise in identifying an old propeller I own. It is 8' wooden Lang propeller that could be from one of the WW1 seaplanes. The wood might be mahogany. The tips of the propeller have many drilled holes running on the edges and into the body. This could possibly be only one of the propellers in a 2 prop plane. The hub is stamped with "Lang No. 3503A".

Here are a few other markings:
Dia. - 2.642
Pitch - 1.800
Liberty Motor 400HP
DR (or) DH No. L.P. 401 E.L.H

There is no decal or other identifying
I backed into the seaplane via the Liberty 400HP only being used on the V12 engines and the V12 engines seemingly only used on four models of WW1 seaplanes. I can't seem to At least that is the path I have taken. Interestingly I see that Lang had their US office on 42nd street in NYC. My grandfather was a dentist and his office was on 42nd. The propeller was stored in his garage. When he passed away and the house was sold I took the propeller. My sister has one too but I don't know what the markings are just yet.

BTW, this Wooden Propeller website is so rich in content. I figured you would be able to identify it. Thanks and Happy New Year to all!

Michael

[Dave]

I need to look through a few things to connect the "401 E" drawing number, but I'm nearly certain that it was in fact used on one of the Curtiss Flying Boats in a pusher configuration (left hand rotation on the Liberty engine).

What do you mean "the tips were drilled"? If there is no metal sheathing and only a number of holes, that would likely indicate that metal sheathing has been removed.

Picture?

[spyboy49]

Hi Dave,
Thanks for your quick reply. I have attached four jpgs. I hope they show you more. I guess the metal was removed from the propeller. Mike

[Dave]

Yes, that's correct. You are also correct that it's part of a 4-blade unit, which explains the square notching on the rear of the blade where it "dovetails" into another notch on the other set of blades.

[spyboy49]

Yes, that's correct. You are also correct that it's part of a 4-blade unit, which explains the square notching on the rear of the blade where it "dovetails" into another notch on the other set of blades.

OKAY! So I guess I have to get my sister's propeller picture/information to see if it is part of the 4 blade. Any idea what WW1 seaplane this came from?

[Dave]

Not sure. Might have been for the H16 .

[spyboy49]

Thanks for all your help last month. My sister does have the other half of the Lang propeller which as you thought may be from the H16 or the 2-3 other WW1 seaplanes at that time.

My question now is regard to value. Let me give you particulars so you will have all the information:
1. Metal cladding has been removed from both propellers.
2. My propeller part is splitting on the tips but is intact.
3. My propeller part has some of the original finish removed.
4. My sister's propeller part has been refinished.

I have a few photos of the finished propeller but have to scan them. Would that be helpful to you?

Thanks again!

[Dave]

It's really hard to determine value, but I would guess that it would be on the low end as a collectible because of the refinishing and removal of the sheathing. Whether it would be practical to try to put sheathing on them and refinish to make it look "original" as a display propeller is a matter of speculation, but one advantage you have is that you do have both blades and could reassemble them into a 4 blade set. Four bladed props are fairly rare and do command higher prices, but yours will never be "original" and the value would be diminished significantly on that basis.

I have no idea how you'd go about re-sheathing it. I suspect that is a lost art . . .