A manually operated lever device for actuating the parking brake of a motor-vehicle comprises a lever structure (2) with a base portion (3) tiltably mounted on a supporting bracket (6). The tiltable mounting comprises a first transverse axis (9) and a second transverse axis (10), both of which are defined at predetermined positions relative to the supporting bracket (6), and a third transverse axis (11) and a fourth transverse axis (12), which are defined on the base portion (3) in positions spaced apart from one another and are constrained to move along respective predetermined arched paths, substantially about the first and second transverse axes (9,10). The second transverse axis (10) is located in front of the first transverse axis, with reference to the direction of advancement of the motor-vehicle. When the lever structure is in its completely lowered position, the third and fourth transverse axes (11, 12) are each located in a position lower than that of the first and second transverse axes (9, 10), re
