Well - you got me wondering, so I had to go check. I recently picked up a Win. 94 that just happens to be the same age as I am. We were both launched in 1958.

I have yet to fire it, so I wasn't sure about the loading on this one, but it happily lets you load one and completely allow the gate to close, and by simply pushing down on the gate, it will allow another to load.

So I guess this one was put together "correctly".

Have a good weekend,
Bob S.