Little surface grinder

[Maker]

I came across this on eBay and although I have neither the money, the space, the need or the ability to collect it, I was very interested in it, mostly because the wheel is mounted in a different orientation to any that I've seen before.

Is there a special name and purpose for this type? What are surface grinders normally used for? I really do know nothing about them.

 

[Pete.]

Blanchard grinder or swing-grinder. Commonly used for grinding/dressing press dies. Looks like it was designed or adapted to be a combination machine both swing and table travel operation.

 

[Parm]

My dad had one in his workshop with the conventional wheel arrangement. Don't know what it was used for on a day to day basis but it was very handy to grind shims when setting tappets on my series II and III jags

 

[Rig Pig]

Nice little machine, shame it's miles away from me.