Abstract: The seats, into which the "C" clips are inserted before being clamped, are located in parts of the free end-sections of the jaws situated above the support-plate extending beyond the other surface of the plate. Located under the latter is the thrust-plate for transferring the clips from the magazine to the seats. As a result of this arrangement, the thrust-plate may be located in the position of maximal advance towards the seats and its front edge acts as a stop to prevent withdrawal of the back of the clip when the latter is clamped between the parts of the free end-sections of the jaws. Movement of the jaws and displacement of the thrust-plate may be caused by alternate movement of rods from double-acting hydraulic-jack rods, or racks which engage pinions mounted rotatably but axially immovably upon the shaft and are released therefrom by means of a clutch controlled by an electromagnetic element.