Yes, it can. Disassembly of the ejector mechanism, removal of the two coil ejector springs, and reassembly will do it. I did this to a Horne patent mechanism (1909 gun) and it has been functioning fine as an extractor gun for a number of years now. I even went a bit further and placed two tiny neoprene 0-rings, one on each small ejector rod where the coil springs 'were', to take some slop out of these rods.
Only downside with the conversion is that the extractors won't lift the shell rims quite as clear of the barrel face as prior to....but it is certainly enough to easily remove fired cases. Hope that's of help.
Robt.
