Cheetah XX USA needs swing guard

[69gto]

Howdy y'all. I recently picked up a 1965-69 Cheetah that is missing the swing guard. I'm hoping someone might know where I can find old parts and where to send it for expert repair work. I've checked with Case but they do not have the parts on models pre-2000.
Thanks much!

[wishful]

MrBlister recently posted pics of a Cheetah he recently acquired. Perhaps he would consider disassembling that old knife for parts.

[whitebuffalo58]

MrBlister recently posted pics of a Cheetah he recently acquired. Perhaps he would consider disassembling that old knife for parts.

Yah, then he could find out just how many dots are under there!!

WB

[Elvis]

It's not an easy task, but new ones can be made.

[zp4ja]

I've checked with Case but they do not have the parts on models pre-2000.

Hello 69gto,

I am sure that is what they said but in this case, the question is, how much (if at all) did that part change from the 60s' to present? Is it the same specs or a hair different where a modern day post 2000 swing guard will work on the USA knife you have?

I have several USA examples and other pre 81' examples and while I did not measure with a micrometer, that all look the same to me. See the pic below of a 75' and 2002' swing guard. The pin head size is larger on the 02' but that could just be the head and not the hole in the guard and blade. Only difference I could see is that where the hole in the guard is may differ slightly between the 2 by maybe 1/32 to 1/64". Same on overall length. Note that the bolster is wider on the 2002' but the guards still look pretty damn similar.
Possibly those tolerances may lead to guard slop but maybe it will be a tight fit. If it were my knife, I would try to get a beater donor knife for the swing guard. Or you could contact CASE see if they will give or sell you a modern guard and maybe even a pin for it. You could then mount the guard put the pin thru but don't hammer it in. Move the guard back and forth and see if it is tight and will work. Can't guarantee it will work though.
If it will work you could send to a mechanic to install or try to DIY.
Please let us know how it pans out. If a new guard will work, many mechanics here would probaly like to know that as would I (I am not a knife mechanic) as this misssing guard issue and question is not totally uncommon with these knives.

Click on the pic to enlarge,

Regards, Jerry

[69gto]

Hey Bob, Jerry,
Thanks for your input. Jerry, I see your point and may end up sending it in to Case to see if they can retrofit with swing guard from new generation Cheetah. As a DIY, Case does not sell its parts so I would have to find donor Cheetah. (I have a few other Case knives that also need donors: back springs for 6249, scales for 3299 1/2 )
Here are a few photos. Thanks again for your feedback.
Sal