Just to follow up, the tool I got given is indeed a Drummond round bed (long bed version) and is up and running - and is in extraordinarily good condition. Found a serial number stamped in the headstock area, which according to info unearthed, says 'between 1926 and 1928'. Towards the latter end of that period from the number, I'd say. A 4" tool, or 8" swing for them as measures that way.
However, it is cack-handed at the tail end and the lack of:
*backgear
*topslide
*reverse (which I might address)
all make it a bit of an ergonomic operating challenge. Definitely not something yer average person needing functionality would want to spend too much on, however pretty it might be.
That said, the carriage rotates around the bed with generous arc of movement both ways, the cross slide (sitting 'square to the carriage' in the pic) swivels 360°, making light milling a cinch compared to most small tools (in theory - haven't tried!), the toolpost is chunky and everything is very smooth. The change wheels are very solid, easy to play with using stout pins to pair them up (not keys) and there's even a metric option in the set I've got.
The cylindrical beds were ground to within a thou, so they say - and a test bar shows head and bum are aligned pretty much perfectly. Carriage goes end-to-end with the smoothest imaginable completely play-free motion, but locking things in position needs spanners for the most part. Only 1MT on tailstock, so made a blank and fitted a cheapo drill chuck just to have something, rotating centre next (maybe), made a chuck key and generally amused myself for a day or two.
Thread-cutting at a min rpm of 120 would be challenging I think compared to a back geared tool, as is the fact it's a big s t r e t c h to get to the carriage hand-wheel on the tail end when doing things in the toolpost and chuck area. OK with the leadscrew engaged for simple turning though.
Anyway, FWI not W, a pic of it in running order.
Not sure what to do with it, but a nice genuine period piece and maybe just a nice thing to keep. Probably the only truly 'vintage' thing in the shed in fact!