One of the less-known but still important Italian machine-tool makers was Caser Ernesto & Figli, based at Via Gaspare Aselli 58, Pavia 27100. They manufactured a wide range of machine tools including conventional screwcutting and automatic Swiss-type lathes, radial-arm drills, milling machines and a number of engineering shop accessories. Shown below is their Model 400 toolroom lathe a robust looking machine of conventional appearance - apart from the unusual flange mounting of the drive motor with, to adjust the belt tension, a handle with a spring-loaded plunger that located into a series of holes - exactly like the tumble-reverse gearing on a lathe's changewheel drive. The function of the capstan handle at the left-hand end of the power-feed shaft is unknown.
If any reader can add to the Cesar story, or owns a Caser lathe, the writer would be interested to hear from you.