Abstract: A mechanical seal assembly having a face ring disposed within an axially-opening recess associated with a support ring. The support ring includes a sleevelike shroud which externally surrounds and maintains the face ring in concentric relationship. A separate retainer ring cooperates between the shroud and face ring to axially and positionally secure the face ring to the support ring. The retainer ring includes an annular ring part which projects radially inwardly so as to radially overlap a part of the exposed face of the face ring to effect axial securement thereof to the support ring. The retainer ring in addition has an axially-extending sleeve part which projects axially and in surrounding relationship to the shroud. This sleeve part has a press-fit engagement with the shroud to create a fixed engagement of the retainer ring to the support ring.