Why did not you take off the pin of the bridge? 
I take off a pin by all means. 
If these were my own pair, I would have done it. It would have been so much easier to work with.  BUt they're not and they're new. Why risk it? I sure don't have the disposable income to buy Nate a new pair if bugger his up. 
 
 
@Lew, I'm sure if you explained in detail to Dave, how to safely remove the pins, he would have. But alas, I doubt you'll explain. 
 That french site had some detailed pics. I just haven't had the chance or motivation to: 
#1. make the tool (i've used a punch in the past to varying degrees of success) 
#2. Practice as much as I like on an old pair before I really do it to someone else's. 
 
d