Abstract: A stabbing protector device for use in oil well drilling operations which requires the continuous addition of pipe, one joint or stand to another, in the formation of drill pipe strings. The device is constituted generally of a segmented, rigid, tubular, metal body, the two tubular sections of which are hinged together so that the axial opening therethrough can be aligned with, and the jaw-like tubular sections can be closed upon, the upper segment of a threaded pipe to which another is to be threadably engaged, and locked. The novel device is provided with an upwardly faced, replaceable split-ring type protective head member constituted of a resilient material, suitably a rigid or semi-rigid plastic, natural or synthetic rubber, e.g., polyurethane. Segments of the split-ring are located on the upper face of each of the two tubular metal sections. Preferably, a similar split-ring is also provided as a foot member on the lower face of the device.