Here is original correspondence received from the Patent Office, as per completing 4,458,420.  I am pleased to say the Commissioner's criteria was met, and the Patent was in fact awarded special status.

 

With regards to flaming swords, yet another splendid example may be viewed in our Nation's capital, as presented below.  This monument is positioned just south of the White House, and is intended to memorialize the U.S. Army 2nd Infantry Division, and its participation in WWI.  After initial construction, the monument was altered to further memorialize both WWII and Korea.

Here's a closer view of the centerpiece---a hand holding up a golden, flaming sword.

 

 

Effort to develop patent 4,458,420 yielded the following correspondence from a major manufacturer

 

 

 

Other effort at development involved the following correspondence, as received from the United States Army:

 

With regards to West Point (Personal letter above):  Rule of thumb, Cadet Honor Code---"Would I be satisfied with the outcome if I were on the receiving end of this action?"

 

 

 

 

 

 

Within about 90 days of the correspondence above, the United States Army issued the following "Letter Requirement" specifying desire to have an impact resistant, modular bayonet hilt:

 

 SPECIAL NOTE:  PLEASE NOTICE ITEM 6. (BOTTOM OF PAGE/"TECHNICAL ASSESSMENT") CLEARLY PROVIDES THAT "STATE-OF-THE-ART" TECHNOLOGY IS AVAILABLE, FOR USE IN THE PREFERRED BAYONET.  "STATE-OF-THE-ART" MEANS PATENTED SUBJECT MATTER, AND AT THE TIME LETTER REQUIREMENT WAS ISSUED, DAVIS ALONE POSSESSED SUCH STATUS (4,458,420).

 

 

Please be advised on the basis of the information above, the U.S. Army procured the impact resistant, modular M-9 bayonet hilt, as originally submitted by Davis to the  bayonet manufacturer (Buck Knives).