Abstract: A compression claw for connecting wire meshes or wire nets consists of a corrosion-protected wire and two legs (12, 13) projecting away from a rounded base (11), enclosing each other at an apex angle (?). The legs are each provided on their free end with hooks (16, 17), which are oriented away from each other. These legs (12, 13) lie in two planes enclosing an angle, such that they can move past each other when the compression claw closes. The wire is a heavy-duty steel wire. A device serves to close the compression claws 10. This has a clamping device (25) functionally linked with a drive and clamp elements (30, 31) for the closure of individual compression claws (10), in which the compression claws (10) can be individually positioned before closure. This device allows simple and fast installation of such compression claws.