My father bought this in the 1950's. He has been gone for nearly 20 years. My son used it a couple of times 2 years ago and said it ran great. Starts right up. It is very dusty as you can see. We just never use it. It is way too heavy for me to try to move around.
I don't know anything about tools and saws but I will try to answer your questions the best I can.
According to the DeWalt price list, a basic radial arm saw sold for $229 in 1953. Everything that I have read about it says that this saw is a workhorse. Keeps on ticking.