Abstract: An apparatus for producing ornamental link chains (Venetian chains). In accordance with the invention the cutting to length is followed by a conveying step transversely to a feed direction, both conveying steps are carried out transversely to a direction of action during the cutting to length, preliminary and finish bending (closing), the section of flat wire is held down for the preliminary bending and for the closing, the particular closed individual link is pushed into the extraction section to adjust the first transverse web in the assembly plane, and the striking is superimposed on the extraction of the chain.