Abstract: A method of producing a metal sleeve having at least one recess open at the nd face extending over a portion of the axial length of the sleeve from a cylindrical pipe section comprising (a) inserting a cylindrical pipe section into the annular cavity of a die which cavity is radially greater than the wall thickness of the pipe section, (b) subjecting the pipe section to axial ram pressure whereby a bulge in the central portion of the pipe section occurs with the central portion bearing against the outer limiting wall of the die cavity and the end portions bearing against the inner limiting wall of the die cavity, (c) applying further pressure on the pipe section whereby it fills the die cavity except for a circular depression in the center of the pipe section bore and (d) acting on the resulting pipe section with a second ram with an end face with contours corresponding to the recesses whereby the displaced material from the contours enter into the circular depression of the pipe section to partially fill the