cant start my suffolk colt?

I'm not familiar with old petrol mowers and a complete beginer. I have an early qualcast suffolk punch with electrnic ignition and i've been given an old suffolk colt pre electronic ignition. I have no idea on how i need to set anything before starting it. An old work colleague gave it to me. He had only just had it serviced so it should be fine. I just have a feeling it's something i'm not doing right as to why it wont start. Any advice would be great please.