Komet Surge brake, help needed

I took apart the surge brake on my 1979 Komet trailer. It seems to be slamming forward when I apply the brakes on the tow vehicle.
I was expecting to see a gas strut held between the 2 vertical bolts.

Pictures of mine are he
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/7u3fiv7jw...4O5i-2Sma?dl=0

Is there a gas strut buried down inside this assembly somewhere? What else is wearing out that needs to be replaced?

Does anyone recognize this model? The plate is marked Walter Winterhoff d3.

The main outside tube it hollow.
The telescoping tube that holds the hitch does have some holes, one of which appears to be welded up and painted or epoxied over - it appears blue.
I did not have time to investigate this further before sunset.
Underneath the front vertical bolt, there is a rectangular part above the nut, I was going to take that off next, but it was greasy and the sun went down.


There is also a photo "partslayout" of another model, it has the gas spring where I was expecting.
This link also shows a gas strut: http://www.standardcirrus.org/Trailers.php

Does Winterhoff still support these?

thanks
Chris