Lan-Cay No Longer in Business?
 

Yesterday I read a listing from a major seller of M9 bayonets on Ebay. He stated Lan-Cay was closing it's doors, and it was the end of their contribution to M9 production. Since the demise of owner Barry Brown earlier in the year, this was not unexpected. Can anyone verify this or provide additional details?

Yes, it's true. I've heard from a few sources with direct ties to Lan-Cay that they are closing shop, selling off their inventory and equipment.

and there are s many bits i still wnat from them, the blue ones escpecially, ah well :frown:

Truly, my sympathies for the passing of Mr. Brown. For every one's best interest, please allow this: at a moment in time, there is only one person manufacturing the impact resistant modular hilt---Kurtis Dwight Davis, U.S. Patent 4,458,420.

If you wish, you may find an example published under "photo server", this website.

Mr. Davis, you are forgetting that Ontario Knife Comapany is still manufacturing the M9 bayonet in the original tang rod configuration.

M-9 production
 

Please excuse error regarding production. Concerning the "original" tang-rod configuration, if '420 prior art cites Dickerman and thus displays current M-9 construction, what distinguishes the M-9 hilt from said prior art? Answer: it is because the M-9 hilt does exactly what is specified in '420, complete with selective, repairable shear. The process of M-9 repair is ineffecient (compared to clevis), but nonetheless possible. Therefore current M-9 construction is simply inefficient application of '420 concept ("second best"). You can only patent an idea, not a device or some mechanical arrangement. If Davis is disallowed the rod, then so is Finn. If Finn is allowed the rod, same reason yields Davis a lawful prior claim.

"Having thus described the preferred embodiments with a certain degree of particularity, it is manifest that many changes can be made in the details of construction, arrangement, and fabrication of the elements and their uses without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. Therefore it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiment set forth herein for purposes of exemplification, but is to be limited only by the scope of the attached claims, including a full range of equivalents to which each element is entitled." (Patent 4,458,420) What exactly was approved, who had the idea 1st, and first approached the original manufacturer, and Army? Documents which answer these questions are lawful evidence regarding infringement, along with testing and '420 language. (ALL IGNORED BY ARMY "INVESTIGATION".)

Prior art cited by Davis FULLY ANTICIPATES the M-9 hilt, as per intent of '420 language. Such language further encompasses at least three other attachments, in addition to clevis' and rods. Clevis is displayed in '420 because in my opinion, it is most effecient--- but never said to be the only attachment, as will provide impact resistance conjoined with modularity. The invention requires BOTH characteristics arise from the same mechanical arrangement, as found in a hilt, and the patent allows substantial variation in the exact mechanical arrangement used. What '420 drawings teach to a person skilled in the art is also of particular importance. Every aspect of '420 was officially approved, and is presumed valid on its face. When Army generals fail sworn oath, such constitutional right becomes invalid, and "pearls before swine". In the end, Claim #1 either applies, or it does not. Destructive scientific testing proves that it does apply, therefore the M-9 infringes. (Patent '420 DOES offer the "original tang-rod", and it is considered second best of various possible arrangements.)

Please notice that claim #1 specifies a shear pin means, not a clevis. Destructive tests identify M-9 selective, repairable shear. Modularity is intuitive.

While abridgment of 1st amendment right prevented infringement proved in a court of law, neither did anyone prove to the contrary. (The door swings both ways.)

My sincere thanks for opportunity to participate---so nice to hear from you. And Davis alone produces an impact resistant, modular hilt for classic M-1 rifle, especially for your benefit.

"Original" M-9 rod-tang configuration
 

Please be advised that prior art as cited by Davis in patent 4,458,420 is now available in "photoserver".

In this regard, Dickerman is featured, so as to evidence what the technical language of my patent document is referring to. Comments which accompany such information will help understanding. If Davis cites Dickerman, and Finn cites Davis, then you tell me who really brought forth "the original tang/rod configuration", and associated the idea of impact resistance conjoined with modularity. Just where exactly did Mr. Finn get the idea for the M-9 hilt? Generally speaking, every patent carefully explains what IS invented, not the opposite.


Thank you for opportunity to share experience with the M-9, perhaps the finest bayonet in world history.

Well, it ought to be interesting. With the possibility Lan-Cay might conduct an auction similar to what occurred when Camillus went out of business, I can envision many "Frankenstein" M9 variants soon coming on the market from enterprising buyers of their left-over parts!

I could not access the link. Maybe their site is down for the count...?