Abstract: A hand-held appliance (1) includes a tubular element (17) to accommodate a bonded strip (36) of staples or tacks (14a . . . e). A guide bar (18) is positioned internally of the tubular element (17) along which the refill strip (36) is slidable. A spring-loaded element (27) pushes the strip (36) in the direction of a restraining plate (30) located at one end of the tubular element (17), and a punch rod (7) separates the staples or tacks singly from the strip and drives them downwards, sliding against the surface of the plate (30). The top part of the guide bar (18) is chased with a longitudinal and vertically disposed groove (21), while the restraining plate (30) affords one or more slits or grooves (32 or 33a, 33b) in which to seat at least one leaf spring (33' or 33a, 33b) extending toward the longitudinal groove (21), or lower, and serving to maintain the correct position of the staple or tack as the rod (7) moves downwardly.