Taking apart an antique rocker

[Alexus1325]

So, I have a folding antique rocking chair. It's put together with these bolt things. Each bolt has a smooth domed endcap over a washer on both sides. According to my boyfriend, ONE of these caps comes off. You can imagine I'm really nervous about taking a pry bar to this thing, but I can't strip the finish until I get it apart.

Anyone know if my boyfriend is correct that only one side pops off? If so, how do I determine which side I should be prying at? Do BOTH endcaps come off??? Do they perhaps rotate off? Does taking it apart destroy the bolt and/or caps, so that I'd have to buy more??? What in heavens are these weird assembly devices called?!?!

*head-desk*

Serves me right for biting off more than I can chew...