1915-1917 WWI Niendorf Luckenwalde Halberstadt CL IV German Wooden Airplane Propeller

This extraordinary wooden airplane propeller hails from World War I, used on the formidable German Halberstadt CL.IV, a ground attack aircraft of significant repute. The propeller was designed for the Mercedes D III engine, a robust 6-cylinder in-line, water-cooled engine of 160 horsepower. The piece is a rare artifact. Many German propellers didn't survive due to the massive destruction following WW1. This one was the handiwork of brothers Karl and Herman Niendorf. Initially piano makers in their Pianofabrik in Luckenwalde, Brandenburg, they were co-opted into propeller production in 1915, a common tale during the war as many German woodworkers pivoted towards manufacturing aircraft components. Here's some key data derived from the propeller's stampings:- 160 PS: A designation for the 160 horsepower engine it was designed to work with.- 215 ST: The pitch of the propeller, measuring 215 cm.- 276 D: Indicates a diameter of 276 cm.- Serial Number 2803Interestingly, despite the stampings