Unknown Lathes Home Page
Another "unknown" lathe from France - this example looking to be home-made and of a type that appears to span heavier watchmaker to bench precision type. Backgeared and screwcutting, the builder clearly had in his mind that his chromium-plated effort would have a number of unique features, one being a slow-speed backgear that must have had a ratio of around 2 : 1 instead of the more-normal 6 : 1.
Unfortunately, the screwcutting changewheels and their carrying bracket are missing, as is what must have been a dog clutch on the headstock end of the leadscrew. Interestingly, in order to speed up the hand-driven feed to the carriage, the handwheel drives through step-up gearing at something like a 3 : 1 ratio.