Model 1889 Cocking Piece Modification

[enscien]

I have just acquired a nice Model 1889 Rifle, Serial No. 81523 made in 1892.
The magazine cutoff has the detachable clip to prevent it from being operated but interestingly the cocking piece has been fitted with a cross-pin as shown in the photo of the (cocked) bolt. When the cocking piece is turned 90 degrees clockwise to the 'safe' position this limits its forward travel so that the lug is not cammed into the usual recess at the front of the safety slot.
Normally the step at the back of this recess restricts retraction of the cocking piece by the bolt handle, so that the bolt cannot be opened when the safety is applied. This modification allows the bolt to be operated with the cocking piece in a safe position.
As the Model 1889 magazine is non-detachable, unlike the Model 1911 and K31 rifles I presume that this was introduced to facilitate safe unloading of a filled magazine.
Has anyone else observed this modification or know if it was officially introduced (perhaps in conjunction with the restrictor clip?)

Information

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[Aragorn243]

I looked through my Swiss Rifles book and found nothing like what you have in your photograph. No listed modifications to the bolt or striker either.

[enscien]

Thanks to the efforts of 'Guisan' on The Swiss Rifles Message Board Forums
the answer appears to be that the cocking piece has been taken from a .22" conversion. There are different versions of this, but in one of them the forward stroke of the cocking piece is greatly reduced and if the cocking piece was allowed to move forward fully in the safety slot the firing pin would be in contact with the cartridge. The stud prevents this.
The cocking piece was probably replaced because the ring on the M1889 rifles was prone to cracking at the thin section on the back.
Enscien