Different drum brakes?

[rwingsfan]

Ok, bear with me now, I AM learning. When I got this bike the rear drum brake actuating lever was mounted pointing up. I have seen a few other bikes this way, but mostly they are pointed down. What if any difference is there? I have put mine on both ways and the brakes appear to work in either configuration? Enlighten me.

 

[XSLeo]

If you have the brake apart sometime look at the way the brake actuates. The lever turns a shaft that is flattened. This flattened area pushes the ends of the brake pads apart. It don't really matter wich way the shaft turns, it still pushes the pads apart.
I think it looks better pointed down.

 

[jayel]

they may have flipped the lever and shaft when putting the shoes back on, look for a small indent on the end of the shaft should line up with the slot of the brake lever