Slymo Plunger and S/A layshafts are identical as regards dimensions (splines, shaft diameter) but have a couple of differences. S/A layshaft has a scroll at the blind bush end, plunger is plain.
Circlip groove position is also different, circlip sits deeper into the layshaft pinion on Plunger shaft, the circlip locates at the tips of the dogs on the S/A shaft.
Layshaft pinion dogs on Plunger are "square", later S/A are a more rounded profile. The circlip position on the pinion is machined to match the appropriate layshaft. Could be the parts you have are a mix from both boxes, and that's why the pinion won't match the layshaft.
As a set, gears and their matching layshaft will fit either box casing on plain bush gearboxes.
Swarfy.