Abstract: To allow a telescoping cylinder that is ordinarily operated in a fixed sequence to also be operated in a simultaneous mode, the first stage (12) of the cylinder is provided with an end plate (126), the cylindrical gap (114) in the first stage communicates directly with the space (133) inside the second stage (13) that is sealed off by the end plate, and a third cylindrical gap (124 & 124'), which is created in the second stage out of the sections (124 & 124') that are sealed off (1331) and derive from the end plate in the first stage, is provided with a pressure-medium line (23) that communicates through a telescoping passage (1131 & 1232) between the floor (111) of the cylinder (110 and the end plate (126) in the first stage, specifically satisfying the demand that the cylindrical gap (114) in the first stage (12) and the space (133) inside the first stage are equal in volume.