Abstract: A brake for a plunger of a hydraulic elevator is provided which in a preferred embodiment includes a pressure plate, a first brake ring, a wedge plate, a biasing spring and a fluid release actuator. The pressure plate is movable along an axis generally parallel with the axis of the plunger. The first brake ring encircles the plunger and has an inner surface for engagement with the plunger. The first brake ring also has a second surface for force engagement with the pressure plate. The first brake ring additionally has an outer wedge surface. The first wedge plate has a first wedge surface for engagement with the wedge surface of the first brake ring. The spring biases the pressure plate and wedge plate toward one another. The fluid release actuator urges the pressure plate away from the wedge plate. Upon release of the actuator relative movement of the pressure plate towards the first wedge plate causes the brake ring to circumferentially grip the plunger and prevent movement axial of the plunger.