The Ames Compound Slide Rest, a substantial affair which weighed 16lbs, had finely made feed screws of 0.354" diameter, with milled threads of square form running though bronze nuts.
The top slide could be swivelled through 50 degrees either size of zero and the 45/8" diameter base was clamped by two screws engaging with a circular T slot in the 3.75"-travel cross slide.
Whilst the top slide has the usual generous amount of travel for this type of lathe (5.5"), the cross slide was limited to just 3.75"
The micrometer dials, with bevelled edges, could be zeroed but, like many other lathes of the time, were far too small, being just over 1" in diameter.

Lever-action cut-off or "forming slide", used to part off, or turn work to the "form" of a cutting tool.

A special compound slide rest with a lever-action top slide and designed for delicate work where sensitivity of feel over a limited tool travel was required. The slide is shown in action below.