To hammer or not to hammer

[Hunter Copelin]

Hey y’all, I was hoping I could get a hand full of opinions out of everyone. 
 

I recently acquired a pretty big probably near 300# Vulcan anvil from my grandfather-in-law who recently passed very suddenly and left it to me. 
I have other anvils but this one would be my biggest and would be sentimental to use, but I’m concerned if I use it, I could damage it pretty badly rather quickly. I’ve never seen a face missing large pieces like this with cracks here and there. 

I haven’t found any serial numbers yet. But I was whisked away to the lake before I go to do anything outside of a little wire wheeling and a couple pictures. 
Anyone ever beat on a face looking like this and continued to removed chunks? 

it’s not like I’m gonna be using a big ol sledge. I mostly make blades and have a press that does almost all of the heavy lifting anyway. 

[ThomasPowers]

Vulcans have a rather thin HC steel face and the rest of the anvil is cast iron. I consider them the "ford escorts" of the real anvils.  I would use it and be VERY careful not to grind/sand/mill any of the face left.  You can see where it's missing how thin it is.  They are also quiet anvils and so good for use in cities and suburbia.