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It's a dealer installed step bumper. Here in CA, the Fey Bumper Co. was the largest supplier, gave dealers a rack where 10 different bumpers could be displayed.
Dealers that sold a lot of trucks put the racks in their showrooms, so potential buyers could see all the choices. Ford didn't offer a factory step bumper till 1969.
Several days after I bought a new 1965 F100 Styleside, installed a Fey step bumper, the type that didn't wrap around.
Good luck with the '352' you bought, because 390's installed in cars used the same block & head casting numbers.
Good to know about the bumper, I was going to junk it. Got my long block from a very reputable shop that supplies them in the area. I have no reason to doubt their honesty. I guess I'll find out when I get it.