Seems pretty hacky, all that staking is going to do is wear out/groove the bushing. It looks like a file has been used for something, there are a lot of places on the conrod that look dinged up, and it also looks like there is some metallic debris. Not good.
If it was me. I would push the conrod as far "forward" as I could, and try to burnish or even grind/chip/file the staking on the crank pin so you can get it apart without damaging the conrod. If you force it you will put a big depression across the face of the bronze insert. Once you get it apart, then clean up the staking with a file and then a stone, inspect the conrod for damage, and replace. But that it just me.
Alternatives include:
- Force the conrod off. If you do, turn it so the groove that gets dug is in the side of the rod bushing, rather than the long axis where there is a lot of load. Then clean up the staking as above, and just see if there is a problem with the conrod wearing out.
- Just clean out the engine thoroughly with your favorite solvent (IPA, soap/water, fuel, Stoddard solvent, kerosene, whatever) to remove any dirt and metal chips, button it back up, and just use it until the conrod wears out. I doubt that the staking has created a very big hump in the crank surface.
BTW, I can see no other interpretation than yours, that is, someone did it on purpose.
Brett