Abstract: A wire construction is provided in which five fine filaments of stainless steel wire are helically overwound about a center filament, also formed of stainless steel. The diameter of the central filament is slightly larger than the diameter of the helically wound filaments, which are of uniform diameter. The wire so constructed retains a high degree of elasticity following manufacture, and is especially suitable for application as an orthodontic wire for use in bracework for straightening teeth, especially the teeth of adolescent children. The wire is formed on a multi-bobbin tubular strander, and during manufacture all of the wire strands are maintained under tension, although the center strand is maintained under greater tension than the helically overwound filaments.