Abstract: The instant invention is a method and apparatus for assembling two hinge leaves. The apparatus includes an assembly for feeding a predetermined length of a wire pintle into a shear assembly. The shear assembly cuts the wire pintle to a specified length and locates the wire in a channel. Substantially simultaneously with the shearing of the wire, a punch and die assembly adjacent the shear assembly locates the two leaves of the hinge such that the barrels of the hinge are aligned. Once in position, a linear actuator drives the sheared length of wire pintle into the aligned hinge barrels to couple the two hinge leaves together. Once the pintle has been inserted, staking pins within the punch and die assembly impact select ones of the hinge barrels to keep the pintle in place. Also, disclosed is a novel method of manufacturing the two hinge leaves.