The "negative" terminal on the bottom of the battery stick has two thin, flat metal strips, soldered to a flat plate on the bottom of it. These two strips run up the side of the three "sub C" NiCd :thumbsdow cells (which are soldered together with tabs), to a "washer" that sits on top of the "positive" terminal (insulated from it, of course), and then the whole thing is shrink wrapped to make the "stick".
The tail (no cap, no contacts) in the one piece Nitrolon body is nothing but a large rubber boot, that when you press on it simply pushes the entire battery stick forward to make contact with the LA's springs, sort of like a "piston drive". The large outer spring on the LA is in constant contact with the "negative washer" on the battery stick, thus giving it "tactical feedback". The inner spring is shorter and recessed into the outer one, not making contact with the "positive nub" on the battery stick until the tail "button" is depressed. The most simple, effective, mechanical connection between a power source and a LA ever devised; brillant!
Too bad SF chose NiCd for this setup, but I'm going to have to look into the OP's "Silverfox" mod and maybe revive myold, tired 8NX!
Edit: Size 15's beat me too the punch, I'm a slow typer!