With respect, Jimmie, although it's looking that way, we can't know for sure on the basis on two examples in the absence of official proof.
To quote slug-gun, who is a very experienced collector and author of
Webley Air Rifles 1925-2005, there are three scenarios:
1. Either both projections were broken off on a pistol which has seen very little use, and then expertly repaired and blued over by its owner to match the existing action?
2. Webley decided at some point, probably fairly late on in the making of the double spring clips, that the projections had a limited function and removed them during manufacture?
3. The pistol was sent back to the factory by the owner because the projections were bending or whatever, and Webley 'fettled' the pistol at that point in time?
I have asked one expert for an opinion, who said he hasn't come across any definitive literature report saying some pistols had the forward lugs absent. I've yet to hear from another expert I asked (who has examined the Holts pistol in person) but he's very busy and I'm sure he'll respond when he has time.