Question about a pin at oscilloscope probe connector

Was buying passive probe for an old LeCroy oscilloscope I acquired.
Going through the manuals I narrowed down 2 probe models that seems to be default setup to the oscilloscope model.
One thing I am confused is regarding a tip right next to the BNC connector on the probe. Is this tip auto-retracting and would just slip into probe when connected to channel input, some sort of ground pin? Or is it pin specific to newer models? Or is it designed to just touch the oscilloscope case when probe attached for maybe reference ground or something, but I think that should be done by the cable shield in the BNC cable?

The pin is highlighted in the picture below.

Tried contacting LeCroy but I have to make an account first, and the account has not been processed by their sales after few days.
 

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@MarcelvdG @Mark Tillotson Thanks for helping.
I was looking at this article and yes it seems like the connection for identifying attenuation.

@Mark Tillotson Do you mean simply making contact with the connector nut by 'connects to a ring on the front of the scope'?
My oscilloscope output is as the picture shows, and and LeCroy listed the probe I was referring to as recommended probe for it.
The nut should be linking to ground somewhere theoretically though...
 

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As pointed out by others, some Tektronix scopes have a ring around the input BNC connecter that the pin contacts. On my 30 year old Tek 2232 it scales the readings in the OSD readout to display correct scale and voltage readings. The pin has no effect on scopes without the ring, but functions as any similar probe would.
 

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On some (TEK) scopes the input attenuator actual setting is illuminated from behind. By attaching the x10 probe with the indicator pin, the light moves 3 steps higher. There is no other internal switching happening.
Switchable x1/x10 probes work similarly.