A friend of mine is looking for a blower and found this. Any one ever seen one like it and if so what is it? 

Looks like one used in a parlor for the parlor fireplace.  I'll try to remember to check the Sears Roebuck catalogs from 1897, 1905, 1908 when I get home tonight to see if they sold one like that.  I'll also check out kitchen stuff in my various books.

Probably work fine for a charcoal forge but may have issues with a coal or coke forge.

Would $175 be a good price for it?

To spruce up your victorian parlor replica; perhaps.  For smithing; No.

Skimmed my Sears Roebuck catalogs with no luck. Any Patent dates on it?

Dont know. Haven't seen it in person. Just pics. But they said there is nothing on it. 

If the price was cheap I’d buy it and double up the gearing via jack shaft to get a bigger air blast. But at that price no no no thanks.

As useful as an ashtray on a motorbike.