Elf & Safety!
The answer, is that in those days, that people were not so OTT paranoid about alleged safety, and specifically at big internationals.
I shot at Intershoot in Holland in the late 70's and early 80's, breach flags had not been invented, we shot with lever cocked FWB65's, Walther LP2's, barrels in all directions whilst cocking including sideways, but always down range when loading and once the pellet was in, never any accidents. The later Walther LPM-1 and FWB 100, and the FAS 604, are near enough impossible to cock pointing down range, but they can be closed pointing downrange very simply.
I remember at EC they discharged FWB 65's (most people had them!) to test the trigger weight, with the tester with his thumb over the end of the muzzle to hold back air pressure, no one got shot, but would horrify people now, perhaps there was more common sense about then?
Have Fun
Robin
Walther KK500 Alutec expert special - Barnard .223 "wilde" in a Walther KK500 Alutec stock, mmm...tasty!! - Keppeler 6 mmBR with Walther grip and wood! I may be a Walther-phile?