As to the bare buss, that's how it was
This reminds me of a subject which came up on the (British) I.E.E. forum a short while ago.
Modern distribution panels here tend to have the terminals and busbars covered up to a much greater degree than present-day American equipment. Older panels were much more exposed though. Somebody was suggesting that an old Crabtree C50 breaker panel (typical 1970s commercial) should warrant at least a "code 2" on an inspection (meaning requires improvement) due to the exposed busbars inside. Somebody else was absolutely insistent that it should be "code 1," meaning immediate attention required, and that it should be replaced as a matter of urgency.
The fact is, so long as all the energized terminals and busbars are enclosed when the cover is in place those older panels are still perfectly in accordance with regulations today.
