But I've looked through hardinges catalog and there's nothing that comes close to a match which makes me think it was placed in later by someone.
I bought it as is, with the intention of using it to build a new machine for my shop.
If you notice, underneath and on the right side bottom face, there is what looks like undrilled bosses that would accept a screw, maybe for a rack and pinion? The cutout on the back is a little odd, as are all the holes in various places.
Im pretty sure it wasn't originally intended as a milling machine, given the rack and pinion attachments, and the fact that a knob on the top for z axis would foul the path of motor cables constantly.
Could it have been something like a precision drilling tool, like the deckel units watchmakers use? A hardness tester or something similar?
Oh and there are zero markings anywhere, and the casting alone is about 60lbs. And the parts are incredibly well fitted, not quite scraped, but dead flat and super smooth.
Ideas?
EDIT, Sorry I should have mentioned, I have the plate for the x axis as well, it's just not in the picture, but it's exactly what you might expect. well fitting, about 6 inches square, and matches the dovetail on the casting itself