I have the same mill I am converting to CNC. The price was not steep - I was the 2nd bidder for last $200 or so. I let it go at about 1000+ with fees. I value the milling machine at around 1400 with some work to clean it up. New machine of the same type is 2700 plus tax, so we are talking half price.
There was no mechanical issue with the mill at all - it is in good working condition. The quill works fine - it is set to fine feed or in between - I have the same identical machine so I know. Not sure why someone would do that other then to decrease the price. Not sure what do you mean by slide gear on the back - the machine was fully locked with side bolts you could not move the head up and down. If the pinion was broken you could still move the quill - it would jump around - the block is from fine feed side.
Machine is quite sturdy and has indeed 9" wide table - it fits a full size 6" milling vise very nicely.
Overall someone got a very good deal. I was in it to clean it up and get it into working condition to re-sell. Have to pay for my hobby somehow. There were few other machinist items on this auction as well but hidden. The lathe dogs went for like over $50 which was too rich for me. There was also a tool box with two medium sized and one small square breaches - went for under 200. Also there was a small tool post grinder which went for just over 200.
Machine is quite heavy, without that table under it its around 600lbs or so. It is just at the right weight were you can barely take it apart.
There was also very large - like making Record #6 vise look like a toy, Canadian made, RAE number 206 vise - went for over 350 with fees. I guess few pp really like old school metal - again way too rich for me - my max was half that.