Durability: just how tough is the M9?

[Kurtis Dwight Davis]

Please be advised that Dickerman prior art, cited by Davis in U.S. Patent 4,458,420, is now available for your analysis. (photoserver) This prior art is a matter of offcial record, which cannot be altered. Please take a close look, and notice it is Davis who associated an impact resistant, modular hilt , to the M-9 method of construction.

Here is concrete proof that Davis fully anticipated use of a connecting rod as opposed to a clevis, in order to bring about impact resistance conjoined with modularity, in the hilt of a knife. It is generally understood that a patent defines what IS invented, not the opposite.

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