Abstract: A well pipe elevator comprises a ring having an interior volume and adapted to be fitted over a pipe from above and one or more tongues carried by the ring. The tongue mounted for movement between a retracted position (I) for fitting the elevator to the pipe and a deployed position (III) for retaining the pipe. The tongue projects minimally into the interior volume of ring in the retracted position and maximally into the interior volume in the deployed position. The tongue has a rest position intermediate the retracted and deployed positions. The biasing spring is coupled at one end to the tongue and at the other end to an actuating member. A retractor is provided for controlling the actuating member displaceable between an advanced position corresponding to the rest, intermediate position of the tongue and a withdrawn position corresponding to the deployed position of the tongue.