The top is oak, It's very similar in shape to what this should have but it's the wrong wood. I've just been looking at Ebay UK and found two like mine but they both have a side leaf on the left side and mine doesn't. This is my only treadle here so I don't have anything to compare it to. It's definitely smaller than the Singer treadles I've seen up close.
I have no idea why it was painted. Neither did the person I bought it from. That's how she bought it.
Cari