It is possible to have exactly uniform components as has been the case in industry with interchangeable parts for at least a hundred years. Imagine the problems if you could not order a part for your car and expect it to fit.
This seems to be a reply to what I said, so I'll clarify. I said that there's no such thing as exactly uniform pieces (or exactly uniform parts of any sort); it isn't even possible short of Star Trek replicator style technology. The best you can do is have them made to tight tolerances, say, plus or minus 0.0001", which is more than uniform enough for nearly all purposes, including automotive parts interchangeability, but obviously it isn't exactly uniform. For the tightest / most accurate fit between parts, hand-fitting still can't be beaten by CNC, which is why something like a Holland & Holland double rifle (which is as much a work of art as it is a functional firearm) is still almost entirely hand-fitted.
It is possible to have exactly uniform components as has been the case in industry with interchangeable parts for at least a hundred years. Imagine the problems if you could not order a part for your car and expect it to fit.
What is relevant to the Jaques discussion and Jaques clone sets is the level of accuracy possible with hand carving of the parts not easily made on a lathe. Rook castelations, bishops slots and of course knights.
Repetitive carving of specialised parts allows for a very high level of accuracy at speed but of course when working with natural materials like boxwood, ebony and the similar substitutes used in modern clone sets the hardness and grain of the wood varies, tools become blunted as they pass through the cycle of use. Other factors of a human kind can interfere with smooth operation.
I have seen many Jaques sets with minor blemishes which were left in from the manufacture, knots, cambium and so on. I have also seen sets marked JAQUES JAQUES instead of JAQUES LONDON which is rare but not unknown.
As sets were often used in clubs where the pieces were just replaced in boxes or containers after games without concern to their parentage, it is my opinion that minor differences should not detract from the pleasure to be taken from using a set of great age.