A device for obtaining tissue samples of the kind having tong-like handle members and in which a punch assembly provided with a distal recess and a cutting edge is axially extensible from a shaft and insertable in a tube provided with a counter cutting edge. According to the invention the punch assembly comprises a continuous distally closed tube which is axially movable in relation to a tubular receiver member for collecting punched-out tissue that is carried by said tube and loosely connected proximally to said shaft and closing off said shaft distally over at least a larger distal length, said punch assembly also being axially movable with respect to said shaft.