So I've been asked to replicate this cake for a 50th anniversary. This is the only pic they have. Anybody out there who can tell me what I'm looking at as far as design?

Sorry can’t see the picture  —  just moving this up above all the ugly spam 

seriously, when someone asks you to create something, THEY are the ones that need to explain what it looked like.  There are always other photos & people who actually saw the cake.  It's just old school piping.  Google 1960's Wilton wedding cakes for ideas.

Yes, it definately is an old school piping design.  Wilton had one of their 1st wedding books with lots of designs similar to this from what I can tell.   Heavy piping with a somewhat large star tip  (#18 through 27?).   Or use heavy pressure with a smaller star tip.  All buttercream work :)