The invention relates to an endoscope comprising a first quick-acting closure (3) for a traction wire (13) of a Bowden wire device, which closure is arranged at the proximal end to be pivotable or displaceable, with a locking position of the quick-acting closure (3), in which an attachment unit for loosening and attaching the traction wire (13) of the Bowden wire device can be actuated and with a working position of the quick-acting closure (3), in which the attached traction wire of the Bowden wire device can be displaced within a working area which is defined by end positions (15′, 15″) of the quick-acting closure (3), in order to actuate a mechanism which is arranged at the distal end of the endoscope together with the traction wire (13) of the Bowden wire device in such a way that it can be loosened.