Scimitar 6 Bolt Cal Prop Co

[v8sharkie]

Hi all,

I've recently acquired quite a few props and will be posting some of them in the forum in the near future. Any assistance in IDing them would be greatly appreciated.

First up is this 6-bolt scimitar. I assume it is 1920s, but could be wrong. I can't find anything online about the company (which would align with the age of this prop). However, I did find a company with a similar name that seems to maintenance modern propellers.

CAL PROP CO. (assuming California)
DES NO. S128
SER NO. 2582

Bolt Circle: 5.25"
Bore: 2.5"
Hub Diameter: 7, 3/8"
Hub Thickness: 4"
Length: 99.25"

[Dbahnson]

That's going to be a hard one to identify. A six hole hub coupled with a 99 to 100 inch diameter seemed rare, so I checked a 1983 FAA listing I have and could not find a single prop meeting those specifications, and many of the ones that are listed go back to the 1930s.

I don't know where else you might look, but there were not many six hole hubs associated with large diameters, including WW1 era props.

[v8sharkie]

I appreciate your reply and had figured as much.

However, I have done some more searching and found something interesting.

I noticed 6 bolts being used on Anzani engines (both 3 and 6 cylinders). I first noticed them on pre WWI monoplanes (Harriet Quimby) and I also found a few biplane examples using a 6 bolt scimitars. Two of those were the Laird B-4 (1915) and the Sperry M-1 Messenger (1926).

I am curious if it might be possible to narrow down any potential aircraft based on Anzani engines and the propeller length?

[v8sharkie]

Also, the above would be assuming that the hub would fit for any of the Anzani engines. I'll look into that next.

[pmdec]

Hi,

There a same brand one there: http://woodenpropeller.com/forumvB/s...ead.php?t=3163

And another there: https://www.worthpoint.com/worthoped...eller-20502054

IMHO, looking at the shape of the sheating and the 6 bolts, I would think "later than 1940", but the diameter vs hub thickness is strange.

Regards,
PM

[v8sharkie]

Oh wow! Thanks for the links. Not sure why I could not find these online when I did the search for California Propeller Co.

I had originally guessed 1920s, but had not been able to find any 6 bolt applications for such a prop.

The link on Worthpoint seems to be the closest of the two other examples. It is 80.25" and 4" thick. This one is also 4" but another 19" in length.

Interesting. I'll keep digging.

Sincerely appreciate all the help. I knew this one would be tough.

[Dbahnson]

I have two Anzani propellers (both for three cylinder models) which have 6 bolt hole hubs but I don't believe the bolt hole circle is 5 1/4'. I'll measure them and get back to you.

[v8sharkie]

Thanks so much. Curious to see.

So far, I'm still not finding any planes that seem to have a prop this length with 6 bolt.

[v8sharkie]

Just a quick update - I haven't seen any use of an Anzani with a prop that seems to be much larger than 72" or so. That also goes for Lawrence engines (I had previously mistaken the Lawrence for Anzani in the M-1 Messenger). Additionally the bolt circle would not match for the Lawrence from what I am seeing.

However, I did recall seeing another propeller for sale on eBay that is stamped OX-5 and is a 6 bolt scimitar around 92".

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1920s-92-wo...5/112770131484

They are claiming it was for a JN-4. Does anyone know if any Jennys would have used a 6-bolt setup?

I'll keep looking in the meantime. Thanks again for everyone's help!

[Dbahnson]

Just a quick update - I haven't seen any use of an Anzani with a prop that seems to be much larger than 72" or so. That also goes for Lawrence engines (I had previously mistaken the Lawrence for Anzani in the M-1 Messenger). Additionally the bolt circle would not match for the Lawrence from what I am seeing.

However, I did recall seeing another propeller for sale on eBay that is stamped OX-5 and is a 6 bolt scimitar around 92".

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1920s-92-wo...5/112770131484

They are claiming it was for a JN-4. Does anyone know if any Jennys would have used a 6-bolt setup?

I'll keep looking in the meantime. Thanks again for everyone's help!

I don't think I've seen a 6 bolt hub for an OX5 but that's not to say one doesn't exist.

Here's an unusual early left hand Paragon prop with 6 bolt hole hub, but the engine is not identified.

[v8sharkie]

Well, that is quite interesting! Thank you for sharing this. Phenomenal!

I had also been looking at some of the Pietenpol homebuilts, but I again, I think those props would be far smaller in diameter.