The McCulloch D-33 “Le Sabre” is an unusual little piece of chainsaw history.
This 54cc direct-drive saw had its bar and chain mounted on the operator’s left, giving it a distinctive “left-handed” layout. It also had a remarkably short production run, lasting from June to September 1956.
| Specification | McCulloch D-33 “Le Sabre” |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | McCulloch Motors Corp., Los Angeles, USA |
| Production period | June–September 1956 |
| Configuration | One-person saw with bar and chain on the operator’s left |
| Engine family | McCulloch 33/35-series design |
| Engine | Single-cylinder, two-stroke |
| Displacement | 54 cc / 3.3 cu in |
| Bore × stroke | 44.4 × 35 mm / 1.75 × 1.375 in |
| Cylinder | Aluminium with cast-iron liner |
| Intake | Reed valve |
| Maximum engine speed | 6,200 rpm |
| Crankshaft bearings | Ball |
| Construction | Magnesium and aluminium alloy castings |
| Handles | Rigid-mounted |
| Drive and clutch | Direct drive with centrifugal clutch |
| Chain brake | None |
| Starter | Automatic-rewind pull starter |
| Carburettor | McCulloch |
| Air filter | Flocked screen |
| Original fuel mixture | ½ pint two-stroke oil per gallon of regular petrol |
| Chain oiler | Manual pump |
| Ignition | McCulloch magneto, breaker points, fixed timing |
| Points adjustment | Contacts just touch with timing pin inserted |
| Flywheel/coil clearance | .010 in / 0.25 mm |
| Spark plug and gap | Champion J8J; .025 in / 0.63 mm |
| Catalogued replacement plug | E3.12 |
| Bar lengths in Oregon’s 1957 listing | 18 and 24 in |
| Chain in Oregon’s 1957 listing | Oregon 51C3 chipper, .404-in pitch |
| Gauge of catalogued 51C3 chain | .058 in / approximately 1.5 mm |
| 18-in chain loop | Oregon 51C3-65E, 65 drive links |
| 24-in chain loop | Oregon 51C3-80E, 80 drive links |
| Depth-gauge setting of listed 51C3 loops | .030 in / 0.76 mm |
| Colour | McCulloch yellow |
| Original publications | Owner’s manual 52005; illustrated parts list 52006 |
The above video comes from one of our FB followers, Stephen Boricic. The following images are from Griffin Valliere.
