An endoscopic biopsy forceps has a detachable proximal handle portion and a distal portion which includes a pair of jaws mounted at the distal end of a flexible conduit. At least one pull wire extends through the conduit and is coupled to the jaws so that movement of the pull wire(s) through the conduit causes the jaws to open and close. The proximal end of the pull wire(s) is provided with a mating tip and the proximal end of the conduit is provided with a mating sleeve. The handle portion includes a shaft and a spool. The conduit is detachably attached to the shaft, while the pull wire(s) is detachably attached to the spool. Attachment is effected by spring biased coupling devices which engage the mating tip of the pull wire(s) and the mating sleeve of the conduit.