Abstract: A crimping apparatus for receiving a circular array of die segments for radially inwardly crimping an end fitting onto a hose includes an upper plate assembly and a lower plate assembly. The upper plate assembly includes an upper back plate attached to an upper front plate by a plurality of fasteners. The lower plate assembly includes a lower back plate attached to a lower front plate by a plurality of fasteners. The upper back plate and lower back plate cooperate to form a first hinge portion and the upper front plate cooperates with the lower front plate to form a second hinge portion. The arrangement allows the upper assembly to pivot about the lower assembly at the first and second hinge portions. The crimping apparatus is advantageous because it allows the passage of large elbow hose fittings that could not pass through the central bore of a conventional die cage.