The change gears (required for thread cutting) for this lathe were supposedly thrown overboard. Yes, this machine does have a hollow spindle, which will pass approximately a 40-mm bar through its center. The overall length of the machine is about 52 inches and the distance between centers is short - around 20". When the gap section is removed from the bed, it is possible to easily swing an object 18" in diameter. The internal construction of the machine is typical of German practice. For example, shaft keys are round-ended and are set into closely-fitted round-ended grooves, then retained with two large screws, each of which is secured by a smaller screw whose head occupies a round milled recess in its edge. The smaller screws are retained by wire clips. Nothing can fail!

Do you have any knowledge of whether such lathes were carried aboard all three types of submarines that surrendered at Portsmouth - XB, IXC/40, and IXD2? The information you quote seems to mention both IXC/40 (first paragraph) and IXC (last para.)