The invention relates to a mechanical switch contact (10) for releasing, disconnecting, or switching over, in particular for an on-load tap changer of a step transformer, comprising at least two contact fingers or contact finger blocks (12, 14), which can each be pivoted between two end positions and which are connected to each other in an electrically conductive manner and which are each operatively connected to a rotatable switching shaft (18) by means of multi-arm joints (16), said switching shaft having all-around guide slots (24) for actuating the multi-arm joints (16) and for thereby deflecting the contact fingers or contact finger blocks (12, 14).