Wooden Propeller Blade? Help Identify

[Rich Meagher]

This propeller blade has been in my family for years. It appears to screw directly into a motor. I'm not sure if it is for an airplane, ship, wind fan, ... or whatever. I would appreciate any information you can share. Does it have any monetary or historic value?

http://www.freewebs.com/richmeagher/propeller.htm

[Dave]

It's part of a variable pitch blade assembly, likely from the thirties or forties. It would be unlikely to be able to identify it. There is little if any historic value, and my guess is that it would sell for around $100 or so on eBay.

[Rich Meagher]

Thanks for the information. Can you tell me what a "variable pitch blade assembly" is? Does it exist for airplanes? Boats? You can tell that I don't have a clue about this. Thanks.

[Dave]

Each blade is adjustable (either on the ground or by a hydraulic mechanism) to alter its pitch, sort of like a high gear in a car. It's adjusted by rotating along its long axis. That's what the threaded end is for. It screws into a hub assembly.