Hammerli 208 Recoil spring

Does anyone know how to change the Recoil spring on the early model (1974) Hammerli 208 International? The instructions say to use a screw driver to wedge the barrel up slightly to remove the spring. Has anyone actually done that? I am afraid of ruining a great pistol. Unlike the later models where you simply turn the retaining pin you actually need to pry the barrel up. Does anyone have any advice on how to do that without damaging the pistol?
Thank you.

You could try calling Larry Carter of Larry's Guns Inc in Gray, Maine.

I called him, no answer. E-mail produced the same result. I was wandering if anyone on the forum has any experience with changing the Recoil spring.

You might send a PM to Ed Hall on this forum. He is extremely knowledgeable about 208s..........

to remove the recoil spring press the recoil spring guide back approx 5mm then turn 90degree and remove.  what i found in the 208 owner manual. Is this what you are talking about?

That works on the later models 208. The earlier model requires to actually wedge the barrel up with a screw driver to remove the spring.

I’ve seen one of those a really long time ago. I had to squeeze the barrel and lower slightly to get them parallel again because it was spread to far. Measure the gap first. Change springs then get same gap back. 
Jon