Interesting Andrew, there was a cylindrical grinder and a blanchard grinder all close together, with bits and accessories from each thrown everywhere and anywhere.
Unfortunately they had all received a hideous coat of puke green gloss at some time in the past, so not easy to work out what bits belonged to which machine
There was much debate amongst the three purchasers about a casting with a flat base to bolt to a bed, and a bored clamp hole suspiciously similar in size to my mystery spindle.
It was decided it probably belonged with the cylindrical grinder. I found the spindle in a cupboard once i got my grinder home, so it now looks like it should have probably gone with the other machine.