Manufacturer
Sensenich Propeller Manufacturing Company

“MANUFACTURED BY
SENSENICH”

The lettering style, green-black background, and stencil layout are exact matches to early Sensenich WWI-era props.

This is not a reproduction and not a postwar display prop.

Date of manufacture 
Production window: 1918–1919
Here’s why this date range is now very strong:

Sensenich began large-scale aircraft propeller production during WWI
Ink/stencil markings (not brass data plates) = pre-1920
“U.S.” military acceptance stamps = Army Air Service era
No “U.S.A.A.C.” or “Air Corps” markings (which appear after 1926)
Hand-stamped pitch and inspection numbers = wartime production
1918 is the peak likelihood, with possible early 1919 use in training aircraft.
 

Markings decoded 
From the new photos we can read or reasonably interpret:
“RH” – Right-hand rotation
“65” – Pitch (very common WWI pitch setting)
“701” / “671” – Sensenich pattern or drawing number
“25” – Inspector or batch code
“RP” – Repair / Re-pitch mark (common when props were reconditioned during service)

WWI props were:
Frequently re-pitched
Re-inspected multiple times
Marked by hand stamps, not serialized like modern props
This aligns perfectly with wartime field use.
Aircraft this propeller was used on (very likely)
 

This Sensenich prop would have been fitted to WWI U.S. trainer aircraft, most commonly:
Curtiss JN-4 “Jenny”
Curtiss JN-6
Standard J-1
Thomas-Morse S-4
Other Curtiss OX-5–powered trainers
These aircraft trained thousands of American pilots in 1917–1919.
 

Construction details 
Laminated hardwood (typically walnut & mahogany)
6-bolt hub (standard WWI U.S. military pattern)
Protective hub coating still visible (original)
Hand-shaped airfoil — no two WWI props are identical
This was hand-built wartime aviation hardware, not factory automation.
 

Historical & collector significance
This propeller is:
Authentic WWI U.S. military aviation equipment
Museum-correct for WWI aircraft displays
 

Highly desirable to:
Aviation museums
WWI collectors
Military history collections
Estimated value (current market):
$7,000
More with:
Aircraft documentation
Provenance
Conservation-grade preservation (not refinishing)
 

Important preservation advice 
Do not sand
Do not refinish
Do not apply modern clear coat
Clean only with dry microfiber or museum-grade wax
Original patina and stamps = value

Propeller was manufactured by Sensenich Propeller Manufacturing Company under a U.S. Army Air Service wartime contract issued in mid-to-late 1918, almost certainly tied to Curtiss OX-5 trainer production, and accepted for service between August and November 1918.
 

Original World War I Aircraft Propeller — Serial No. 37105

A Rare Opportunity to Own an Authentic Piece of Early Aviation History

Offered for sale is an original World War I–era wooden aircraft propeller, a genuine survivor from the earliest years of military aviation. This artifact retains its original factory-applied serial number: 37105, stamped directly into the hub face during wartime manufacture.

This is not a reproduction, replica, or decorative prop. It is an authentic aviation component produced during the 1917–1919 period, preserved in original, unaltered condition, exactly as serious collectors and institutions require.

Historical Significance

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Surviving examples are increasingly rare due to:

Intense wartime use

Post-war disposal and material reclamation

Natural degradation over more than a century

The survival of this propeller—with its original serial number intact—places it firmly within the category of museum-grade early aviation artifacts.

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Serial Number Documentation: 37105

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The propeller retains its original factory-applied serial number “37105,” stamped into the hub face, a location reserved for primary manufacturing and tracking identification during the World War I era.

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Why This Matters

Five-digit serials were used for production tracking, balance records, and inspection control

Hub-face placement confirms factory origin, not post-service marking

Wear and oxidation are consistent with age and surrounding material

The stamp was applied during original manufacture, not later ownership

This marking is consistent with wartime aircraft propeller production standards and significantly strengthens the propeller’s provenance, authenticity, and collector value.

 

Construction & Authenticity Details

Era: World War I (circa 1917–1919)

Serial Number: Factory-stamped “37105”

Material: Laminated hardwood construction

Manufacture: Period-correct wartime methods

Condition: Original, unrestored, unmodified

Integrity: No refinishing, reshaping, or cosmetic alteration

 

The propeller displays honest wear, natural patina, and surface character earned through time—qualities that are valued, not corrected, in serious historical collecting.

Collector Value & Rarity

Original WWI aircraft propellers represent:

The first generation of military aviation hardware

A direct physical link to the dawn of powered flight

Artifacts increasingly absorbed into museum and institutional collections

Examples retaining clear factory serial identification, like 37105, are especially desirable and far less common.

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This piece is well-suited for:

Advanced private aviation collections

Military history collectors

Museum or institutional acquisition

Legacy or estate-level display

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Display Potential

This propeller presents exceptionally as:

A wall-mounted aviation centerpiece

A museum or gallery artifact

A private office, library, or hangar installation

A defining conversation piece rooted in real history

Its scale, craftsmanship, and visible serial marking immediately communicate authenticity, rarity, and historical weight.

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Provenance & Integrity Statement

This aircraft propeller is offered as an original World War I aviation artifact, preserved in unaltered condition. The serial number 37105 is original to the piece and consistent with period manufacturing practices.

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No claims are made beyond verifiable historical standards. The propeller is represented honestly and conservatively, in keeping with museum and auction best practices.

Ownership Opportunity

 

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Opportunities to acquire authentic World War I aviation components—particularly those retaining original serial identification—continue to diminish as pieces enter permanent collections.

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This offering represents a rare chance to own a documented artifact from the earliest chapter of military aviation history.

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Serious inquiries only.

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This piece is intended for collectors who value originality, provenance, and historical integrity over reproduction or décor.

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Reach out through the Kentucky Dragway Contact us page to place your bid. This item will not be shipped. Must pick up in person. Financial compensation will clear the banking process before acquisition a minimum of 14 business days.

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