WWI US Air Service Kelly Field Mantel Clock Made from Wooden Propeller

ARTIFACT: This is a great circa World War I United States Air Service clock from Kelly Field, San Antonio, Texas. Kelly Field opened one day before the US declared war on Germany: April 5, 1917. The field was named in the memory of the first military aviator to perish in a plane crash: 2nd Lieutenant George Edward Maurice Kelly. During a difficult landing attempt, Kelly opted to avoid landing on a tent that potentially housed other people. This selfless choice left the tent unscathed and cost him his life. The clock sits inside a copper-encased wooden propeller mounted to an oval wooden base. The base bears a hand-painted winged propeller logo and reads US ARMY AIR SERVICE. The clock does not work, but it remains quite a conversation piece!

VINTAGE: Circa World War I.

SIZE: Approximately 6-1/2" in height; base is 17-1/4" by 5-1/4".

MATERIALS / CONSTRUCTION: Painted wood propeller base, brass, glass, metal.

ATTACHMENT: Screwed into base.

MARKINGS: Pat APPL'D FOR on reverse of clock.

ITEM NOTES: This is from a World War I United States Air Service collection that we will be listing more of over the next few months. TRAEX16 LBDEX SBDEX7/16

CONDITION: 7+ (Very Fine+): The clock and base show only some light wear; clock does not run as is.