Curtis JN-4 Propeller Identification

[SWilban2]

Hello,

This propeller was found in Knoxville, TN in my grandfather's garage. His dad was a collector of many things and so was he. My dad never knew where the propeller came from or much about it/ why my grandpa had it, but he knows it has been around since at least the mid-'70s in his dad's possession.

The propeller is a Curtis Jn-4 we know because of the tag on it. I was also told by someone that S.C. stands for Signal Corps, so the plates are most likely military.

I attached a few pictures of the propeller and both plates.

I don’t know much about planes or propellers but was told that this forum was the place to ask.

Thank you in advance!

[Dbahnson]

I think you know everything about it that there is to know. The data plate indicates the aircraft and engine for which it was manufactured.

There is a tendency to want to "restore" an item like this but it's a fools errand and should not be done as it appears to be in original condition, even if ravaged by the elements
. It likely was never used on an actual aircraft because there's no evidence of mounting on a compressed metal hub, so it was likely sold as surplus along with hundreds like it. Many of those have been carelessly "restored" and have lost their value as a consequence.

[SWilban2]

This is good to know. I would love to display it, but I really don't want to do any damage to it. The dirt is super built up on it, so I will probably just try to get rid of that, and just leave it as is.

[Dbahnson]

It looks as if it is hanging with the rear side of the prop facing the camera. Have you looked at the other side? It may have decals or remnants of decals on the front face. If so, leave them alone and post pictures if you can.

[SWilban2]

There are two. One on each side of the middle. I attached a photo of each of them. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WFs...ew?usp=sharinghttps://drive.google.com/file/d/1Pho...ew?usp=sharing

[Dbahnson]

Great.

I don't recognize them at first glance, but I'll look through some other photos to see if we can identify the manufacturer. The fact that there are remnants there is even more reason not to alter it from its current condition, and what you have at this point should be considered very fragile.

And since this goes all the way back to your great-grandfather I think your best bet is to document whatever you can about the ownership and plan on handing it down to subsequent generations. I'm guessing that it was acquired in the 1920s as surplus (for under $5 at the time) and has just aged naturally since then.

[Dbahnson]

And it's possible that it was manufactured by Shoninger Co. under the Eagle trademark. Look closely at the remnants and see if you can make a case that they match this image. It may be upside down on the image you submitted. And keep in mind the factors that cause the alligatoring of the varnish can be responsible for small shifts in position of elements of the decal.

The decal I added was used on a DH4 prop, presumably in the late teens or early twenties and I suspect yours is from the same era.

[Dbahnson]

As I look closely at the opposite decal I think I can see remnants of B. Shoniger in the expected position on the decal.



So I'm nearly certain that it's an "Eagle" propeller manufactured by that company.





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[SWilban2]

Thank you so much! This is really good to know. I plan on just cleaning the dirt off and hanging it up. I will post pictures when it is looking better. Thank you again for all of this information!