My mom wants to give me her old pressure cooker (brought in the eighties). She hasn't used it in years.

I agree you should look for a manual which you should be able to find online. Another thing is if it comes with a pressure gauge you might want to get it checked to make sure it is calibrated properly.

And you definitely need to replace the gasket, if it has one. Most of the traditional manufacturers of these are still in business, so you shouldn't have any problem finding a gasket. If it has a gauge, you need to get it re-calibrated. Manufacturers sometimes do this, but so do some state agricultural or extension offices and some master food preservers.

Yes but I'd look for a book about how to use it safely. It can be really handy for quick meals and canning.