Thanks for the post (sorry for late reply - have been offshore doing oil stuff again). Yep I think it is the same part that illuminates the ignition switches that was used as a side marker ('66 Ranchero licence plate light) but it doesn't seem to have any part number cast in that I can see - maybe it was filled before it was painted black???
I'll email SW and ask about the gauge (it can't hurt), I have no idea if the Tacho was a competition special but they may be able to let me know
In my experiance most modern era light aircraft tachos run up to about 2500rpm as the prop tips will go supersonic much above this (unless a reduction gear is fitted), so I reckon that this probably isn't one of the aircraft sourced Mk.II bits - knowing my luck it probably was only fitted to Korean P-51Hs or something else exotic!!!