The front chamber is for rear brakes, rear chamber is for front brakes. Its confusing, but the bigger part of the piston is in the back of the master to push more fluid for the front wheels.
The rust in the rear chamber isnt a good sign. And no fluid in the front chamber, I'd definitely pull the front drums and look for leaks. Opening and removing all 4 bleeders, and fitting an air blower tighly to the master cylinders fluid ports and blowing out all the old fluid will also make sure theres no junk in the lines or blockages.