I recently purchased a vintage TDR 100 w/Gut Snares in Mint Condition.

This is my first TDR and have a question regarding the snare unit. On the side of the throw off there is a black strap which attaches to a metal piece which holds the 10 gut snares. Does that metal piece rest flat on the snare head or do the gut snares rest completely on the snare head while the metal piece is completely off? The metal piece now rests on the snare head thus raising the snares off the batter head not making full contact. Seems strange. Is this right? Thank you.