Please help identify Curtiss Jenny part

An aunt of my wife's has gone through her attic and found many, many treasures (WWI helmets, uniforms, WWII nazi flags (mint), uniforms, a sword from 1879) and lots more. *The item that intrigued me is very odd.

It is about 3 feet tall and looks like a shark fin. *It is mounted on a base about 2' long. *The front edges are metal. *On the side is an emblem that says:
"The Curtiss Aeroplane Co. Buffalo, NY USA *No 6312 *Model JN4A"

I have found that this is from the "Jenny", but I am unsure of what it is. *Can anyone offer any assistance?

Thank You,
Kevin

Here are photos

photo2

photo3

Sorry it is blurry - it was the best I could get.

[PeterL]

Kevin, it's one prop blade mounted on another as either a presentation peice or an ornament. I'd definitely give it room on my sideboard.

Kevin, it's one prop blade mounted on another as either a presentation peice or an ornament. I'd definitely give it room on my sideboard.

Thank you for the reply.

Do you think the glass circle with the paper in it may contain something? It is 'stuck' onto the prop, although I haven't used much pressure to remove it.

[PeterL]

I can only speculate that it probably *relates to the provenance of the peice. It would be fascinating to know. But whether you risk trying to remove it is up to you. If it were mine I think I'd try to identify it by other means first. You have what appears to be a serial number so it might be possible. I wonder if the prop was broken in a prang and made up into what you have now. Otherwise it just seems more likely that it would have been left intact and wall mounted.

I was able to get the glass circle off without causing any harm. There is nothing in the paper.

[joegertler]

My guess is that the glass circle used to hold a photo of an aviator. Many of these cut-off, or cut-down prop ends were used as picture frames.