Thanks for the answers. I wasn't sure if the firing pin was retracted by a spring or not. The only exploded drawing I've found is so small. I can't tell how things work in there.
Open the action just enough that you can see the bolt face. Press hard on the rear of the firing pin until the rear is flush with the back of the bolt and see if the firing pin protrudes from the bolt face. That is NOT a sure way to tell because there might be an interlocking firing pin retractor. But at least it is a start. The chances are, however, that the firing pin is NOT of the inertia type. And even if it is, if the gun is dropped on the muzzle, it still might go off.
One technique I used to use when I went hunting with a M1886 was to chamber a round, put the hammer on half-cock, and then open the lever enough so I could get the fingers of my shooting hand between the top of the lever and the stock. The trigger would not allow the hammer to fall on that type of gun, and if I fell, the worst that could happen would be mashed fingers!
If I ran into game, I would just slip my fingers out, close the lever and ease the hammer back to full cock. Killed a couple of wild boar down Tennesse-way back in '63! Rifle was chambered for .33WCF.