Kuduae,thank you for clearing that up.
I can use the rifle as it is, I just won't chamber a cartridge until I'm about to shoot.

On another thread on this website (http://forums.nitroexpress.com/printthread.php?Cat=0&Board=mannlicher&main=315067&type=thread) you describe the 1900 rifle in some detail. Now that I know of the flat spring on the cocking piece at least I have an idea how things go together. I was going to try and disassemble my 1900 bolt - but until there's an actual need I'm going to avoid doing that.