Winchester messed with making the model 94 a semi auto by putting a pivot on the front of the barrel. It had a flapper (paddle) with a hole in it for the bullet to pass through, that went over the muzzle. When it fired the muzzle blast pushed the flapper forward moving a rod back to a toggle that pulled the lever open, then I think springs returned it. But he had to cut away most of the lever, the rod attached to the very front of the lever, in front of the trigger finger. I'm pretty sure that is not what you have there, but, that's what it reminded me of, Joe.
