Furniture and Furnishings - Trouble Breaking Down Antique Double Bed

Our daughter has inherited her grandmother's antique double bed (http://www.flickr.com/photos/40988287@N08/3768354435/) . When I arrived yesterday to break it down so we could move it, I found that the entire headboard, footboard and sidrails were virtually permanently attached which would require the entire unit to be moved in one piece. At the point where the rails are joined to the headboard (and footboard) there are what appear to be metal pins (http://www.flickr.com/photos/40988287@N08/3768354471/). It looks like it is a sort of mortise/tenon set up with the rail actually inserted into the head and foot boards (http://www.flickr.com/photos/40988287@N08/3768354517/). However, there are no slots in the pins to enable one to unscrew them and they are not visible on the other side so that one could drive them out with a punch. The pins are flush with the wood so they cannot be extracted with pliers. I'm completely baffled! Help

Hope this works. Lift up and out with the side rails. You may even have to tap from under them to get them loose. The pins actually capture the holding mechanism of the rails, and you won't get them out. Let us know how this beauty comes apart. Be careful, and don't do it while you are upset. Wood doesn't understand tempers. We're here.

Thanks so much for the suggestion. While I'm a bit skeptical, it does make sense. I'll try it as soon as I can get back down there and will let you know how I make out. Thanks again!