Abstract: An apparatus for taking samples of a toxic or radioactive substance by inducing such substance into sample vessels, comprising a rotatable cylinder containing a recess movable between two positions for receiving a sample vessel; a needle head filling assembly disposed at the first position; a stripper located between the cylinder and the filling assembly for causing the filling assembly to disengage from the sample vessel during downward axial movement of the cylinder after filling; a housing which is open at the top, and a cover closing the top of the housing, with the cylinder, filling assembly and stripper being disposed in the housing, and the cover being provided with an opening above the needle filling assembly and dimensioned to permit passage of the filling assembly through the opening; a supply conduit for supplying substance to the filling assembly; and a support disc located in the housing and provided with a receiving bore for supporting the filling assembly while permitting the assembly to be rem