There are lots of the post war 94s around and they do come up for sale even though the majority are sitting in the back of grandpa's closet.
They don't really make them any more (yeah I know about the Japanese versions) and the prices keep going up.
I have several examples and think highly of them . Not comparable at real distance to a modern scoped bolt gun but a very useful gun for lots of hunting uses . They are a very fun range gun , they have a mid range caliber , history and cool looks going for them .
Not a horrible home defence gun and is acceptable in some of the crazy states .
I like 30-30 as a cast bullet gun , doesn't give up much power , to some ways of thinking this makes it more valuable as a long tern SHTF item .
When someone is selling a firearm there is always the retail/wholesale thing going on . Dealers just have to low ball you to keep their lights on.
Gunbroker can be ok but there is always the condition issue and how things work out if the buyer is not satisfied
I am not sure if the OP is just looking for a price for his friend or if he is thinking about grabbing up this gun himself .
A sale between two friends , one who doesn't want the gun and one who does is many times the best deal.
This looks like a average condition rifle with some medium honest wear . I feel the 1950's guns had better fit/finish and generally are more desirable than say a 1970's or later gun . Between friends I would put a fair price as $500-$575 assuming a good bore and little to no rust pitting on the finish . Gunbroker might fetch $75 or $100 more
A shooter with a usable bore even with more finish problems is still going to be $375-$400