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@provenrad
When a bicycle has been in a collision it can bend the frame as well as the forks; the damage may not be as obvious on the frame.
Specifically, ripples on the underside of the downtube near the area of the headtube would indicate that the frame has been involved in a head-on crash (been there).
It sounds like the seller is communicating well - did you ask where the forks are? it is not often that a frame + forks get seperated without good reason. (I am suspicious..)
As you are getting it painted anyway then getting the forks done to match is not a big deal.
Expect to pay up to £15 for some steel threaded forks with rubbish paint. The length of the steerer is important, and you may need to get them threaded to fit the frame.