Although the make of this miller is unknown, sadly the machine is not a mystery at all - but a very clever, almost cost-free conversion into a gear-hobbing machine by Mr. John Ward of Colne, in Lancashire. John, a time-served toolroom man and a long-time friend of the writer, passed away prematurely in late 2020.
John was widely known in amateur engineering circles for his skill in making - at affordable prices - spare parts for machine tools gears of all types. Over several decades, this hobber was used to make many thousands of changewheels for Boxford and other lathes - and all to a very high standard of accuracy. John, you were a gentleman and are greatly missed.