Abstract: An apparatus for the combing-in and binding of punched single sheets into a prefabricated wire comb having a multiplicity of teeth bent into circles and connected to one another, which are inserted into punched-out holes in the sheets, where the apparatus includes a closing device having a movable closing beam with a counter-pressure plate for bending the prefabricated wire comb into a circular shape. Retaining elements are arranged on the counter-pressure plate or a part connected to the counter-pressure plate, which position at least a part of the teeth of the wire comb. The counter-pressure plate is slidable under the closing beam with the retaining elements positioned such that the single sheets are inserted into the wire comb for binding.