It sure looks like the mechanics for the ejectors are in the forend. The forend stays connected when the barrels are removed and bending the forend down, "cocks the ejectors. Here is another picture of the forend.
No tar or feathers from me, not sure if the 1897 is the serial number or not.
The safety lever is on the right side of the frame. In the horizontal position (shown) it is in the "fire" mode. When rotated counterclockwise down, it blocks the firing pins from striking the primers of the cartridges. You can still pull both triggers when the safety is in the down "safe" position, but the safety device acts like an internal "hammer-block" even though pulling the triggers still "fires" both firing pins.
After doing this, you have to "break open" the action to "re-cock" the system.
I imagine this is not something that you would want to do too often, as I think that the internal strikers hitting this safety block, would eventually harm it.