LanCay P.I. Prototype M9s

[pwcosol]

Carlo: Thank you for your kind comments regarding the two bayonets. Lancay was indeed fortunate the Army finally decided to allow modifications to the existing M9 configuration...something never granted to Phrobis. I believe these modifications (mostly simplifications or eliminations) allowed LanCay to reduce the amount of work necessary to produce the bayonet, but still receive the same unit price agreed to in their contracts. Likely rather than incurr a minor rise in cost to produce the bayonet scabbard with a stone protector flap, LanCay asked for & received authorization to eliminate the stone altogether on their product improved scabbard, solving that problem permanently!

It seemed aparrent to Phrobis the stone protector flap was necessary on the M9, yet LanCay was not required to supply this so didn't. Even Phrobis did away with it on the M9A1, but still retained it on their M9 product line. I would guess Phrobis elected to eliminate the stone protector flap on the M9A1 because the new Zytel scabbard system required no webbing, and the position of the scabbard on the utility belt might have reduced abrasion problems, although I think the stone would have been discarded by Phrobis eventually on the M9A1