A surgical stapling instrument (10) is disclosed, the instrument having a handle assembly (12), a body portion (20) having a staple cartridge assembly (22), and an anvil assembly (30) . The anvil assembly includes an anvil head (42), an anvil member (26), an anvil shaft (28), and a biasing member (44). The anvil shaft defines a longitudinal axis and the anvil member is pivotally secured to the anvil head. The biasing member is supported on the anvil assembly to urge the anvil member from a first position to a second position defining an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis.
