TeLeS chainsaws were manufactured by TeLeS Smith Ltd., a British company that originated in the early 1920s under the name T.L. Smith & Co. The company was based in London, England.
Initially, the company specialized in selling drag saws powered by either electric motors or petrol engines, primarily catering to the timber industry. Over time, TeLeS diversified its product range to include stationary engines, concrete mixers, and crushers, expanding beyond timber recovery equipment.
By 1928, the company took a significant step forward by manufacturing its own petrol engines to power its drag saws. This innovation allowed them to reduce reliance on third-party engine suppliers and improve the performance of their saws.
The first engine they produced was the Hobbs horizontal hopper-cooled petrol engine, which continued in production until 1946. After this, they began fitting J.A.P. air-cooled engines to their drag saws, but this production line ceased in 1950.
TeLeS Chainsaw Production Begins
TeLeS officially entered the chainsaw market around 1938, making it Britain’s oldest chainsaw manufacturer.
Their first chainsaws were large, petrol-powered machines, designed primarily for industrial applications. These early models were trialed with Villiers and J.A.P. engines, two well-known British engine manufacturers of the time.
One of their first distinctive models was a bow saw-style chainsaw, designed for sawmills. This unusual design featured a Villiers 19A (250cc) engine and was meant for single-person operation. The engine was mounted on a wheeled frame, allowing the operator to move it easily.
During World War II, TeLeS standardized its chainsaw production, primarily using Villiers 19A engines. Many of these saws were supplied to the British War Department, with one particular model, the WB, being used in military applications.
At the same time, the company continued producing chainsaws for the forestry and sawmilling industries, with models such as the SW3.
Post-War Expansion and Acquisition
After the war, TeLeS continued developing new chainsaw models.
They introduced designs based on the Villiers 25A (250cc) and Villiers 27B (350cc) engines, which included air vane governors to regulate engine speed. The SW4 and SW7 models, introduced during this period, featured cutting capacities ranging from 39 inches to 84 inches, making them suitable for large-scale forestry operations.
By the late 1940s and early 1950s, the company operated under the name TeLeS Smith Ltd., with its offices located at 27 Iddesleigh House, Caxton Street, London. During this time, TeLeS also experimented with electric chainsaws, producing a heavy-duty two-man model (Model E) powered by a 3-phase motor, designed for use in timber yards.
In 1952, TeLeS Smith Ltd. was acquired by Acrow Engineers Ltd., a company that specialized in industrial engineering. Following this acquisition, TeLeS’ headquarters moved to 8 South Wharf, Paddington, London. Despite the change in ownership, chainsaw production continued, and new models were introduced.
Later Innovations and Decline
In 1956, TeLeS introduced a more powerful two-man chainsaw, the 28B, equipped with a Villiers 28B (350cc) engine, which allowed for more efficient cross-cutting of large hardwoods.
Around the same time, they released a lightweight one-man chainsaw, the Little Tiger, powered by a 79cc J.A.P. engine. This saw was notable for being the first TeLeS model to feature an automatic clutch and adjustable automatic oiling.
As chainsaws became lighter and simpler, TeLeS adapted to the market by developing the D77 direct-drive chainsaw in 1961, featuring an Italian-made Aspera engine with 14-inch to 22-inch bar options. The last chainsaw they produced was the D95 model in 1962, which used a 5.5HP Aspera engine and had cutting sizes ranging from 18 inches to 28 inches.
By 1968, TeLeS ceased chainsaw production, marking the end of Britain’s oldest chainsaw manufacturer.
TeLeS Chainsaws
TeLeS chainsaws were designed and manufactured in London, England, with headquarters and production facilities moving between different locations in the city.
Over its 30-year history, the company was a pioneer in British chainsaw manufacturing, adapting to technological advancements and market demands. Despite ceasing production in 1968, TeLeS remains an important part of chainsaw history, particularly for its innovations in both petrol and electric chainsaws.
This is an adaptation of a TeLeS history post on ChainsawCollectors.se which has been taken from the book “An Introduction to British chainsaws” by B.P. Knight.
