Abstract: A shaft seal intended to function at high temperatures with an elastic sealing ring carried by a retainer ring of e.g. stainless steel which has an L-shaped section. From the axial portion of the retainer ring, radially inwardly directed supporting tongues extend, providing a small contact surface against the shaft element which supports the seal. The supporting tongues are pressed against a radial supporting surface on the shaft element by an elastic ring between the retainer ring and an opposing supporting surface on the shaft element. These supporting surfaces may be the two radial end surfaces of a peripheral groove in the shaft element.