The TeLeS Little Tiger was an unusual British one-man chainsaw introduced in 1956. It represented TeLeS Smith’s attempt to move away from its enormous two-man machines and compete with the new generation of portable saws appearing during the 1950s.
Ray A shared these images of his Little Tiger on our TeLeS SLCS FB post.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | TeLeS Smith Ltd. |
| Country | England |
| Introduced | 1956 |
| Production | 1956 to at least 1960 |
| Alternative designation | TeLeS JS80 |
| Engine | J.A.P. Model 80 |
| Displacement | 79–80 cc / approximately 4.8 cu. in. |
| Engine type | Air-cooled, single-cylinder two-stroke |
| Configuration | One-man |
| Drive | Bevel-gear transmission |
| Clutch | Automatic |
| Chain oiling | Adjustable automatic oiler |
| Carburetor | Float carburetor initially; diaphragm carburetor on some later machines |
| Known bar sizes | Surviving examples have 18, 24 and 27-inch bars |
| Power, weight and chain pitch | Not reliably documented |
The original Little Tiger used a conventional float carburetor. Like many early chainsaws, it could not simply be turned sideways without upsetting the fuel supply. TeLeS solved that problem by using a rotatable, bevel-geared cutting assembly. The bar could be turned 90 degrees for felling while the engine remained upright.
That is what the large round gear housing and adjustment mechanism at the base of the bar are for. It was clever, but also heavier and more complicated than the direct-drive diaphragm-carburetor saws that soon replaced it.
The Little Tiger was also reportedly the first TeLeS chainsaw equipped with both an automatic clutch and adjustable automatic chain oiling. Around 1960, some were fitted with diaphragm carburetors, improving operation in different positions.
There were at least two Little Tiger variations. Collectors report that later machines had a cast-aluminum cowling, smaller fuel tank, different chain-oil tank, narrower front handle and a revised starter. Known collector examples include machine number 1164 dated 1956 and a JS80, type number 1923, dated 1957, but these are useful reference points rather than an established serial-number chart.
The model is reasonably rare, but prices can be unpredictable. Two Little Tigers sold at auction in 2024 for £80 with an 18-inch bar and £120 with a 27-inch bar. A Little Tiger described as having the self-lubricator sold for £280 in May 2026. Those are hammer prices before fees and do not necessarily reflect running condition.
