Looks a lot like my 8mm Boley.

Rick

Having no markings makes it very difficult to identify the maker, especially as lathes.co.uk explains lots of unidentified firms made them. Not unusual, then or now, for engineering firms to manufacture anything they can sell for a profit, legally or not.

It all happens! Top-end tool-makers often sell their machines un-badged to resellers; this is extremely common because it means brand-name fanboys can be charged top dollar whilst quietly profiting from cost-conscious purchasers. Sanction busting is another reason for not marking, as is copying enemy equipment during wartime. Top-end machines are counterfeited by dodgy types, but these usually imitate logos etc. This design is quite old, and after the patent expires anyone can have a go. However, whilst it's legal to copy or imitate the physical item, it's not legal to copy the brand-name or trade-marks.

What matters is how well-made the item is, and it's condition today. The design isn't difficult to replicate. Harder to get them accurately finished, because that required close attention to detail, for which reason I suspect many of the mid 20th century clones were too cheap and haven't survived. But many others were competently made. Windy's example looks good – seems to have been used and cared for, always a good sign.

Dave