Abstract: A continuous metal casting machine having a starter bar handling apparatus which includes a first pivoting arm member generally suspended over the downwardly oriented, generally arcuate strand conveying structure and a second pivoting arm member generally suspended over the upwardly oriented, generally arcuate starter bar receiving structure. Releaseable starter bar engagement means are mounted on the terminal ends of these pivoting arms so that as the first arm pivots downwardly through a vertical arc generally coplanar with the strand conveying structure, the starter bar is moved from the mold to the straightener apparatus. A guide structure or other such control means is mounted in the path of the first arm member so that its terminal engagement means will release the starter bar as it is engaged by the straightener apparatus.