Abstract: A gripping device for two part molds wherein each mold half is equipped with a centering ring that has outwardly projecting radial wedges, said gripping device including a gripping plate having a center bore which is adapted to fit over and around said centering ring and its outwardly projecting radial wedges, and a flat U-shaped recess extending inwardly from one side of said gripping plate and surrounding said center bore, and a gripping ring which is adapted to fit into said flat U-shaped recess, said gripping ring having inwardly projecting counter wedges which are sized and spaced apart so that they can engage the spaces between said outwardly projecting radial wedges of a centering ring in the manner of self-locking bayonet fixing means, and handle means to rotate said gripping ring while in said recess through at least a limited art with respect to the axis of said center bore.