A surgical instrument includes a first lever element and a second lever element interconnected by a lever element hinge. Each lever element includes a grip portion and a jaw portion. A first spring portion and a second spring portion are proximally connected to the grip portions. A proximal free end of the first spring portion is coupled to a proximal free end of the second spring portion by a hinged joint. The hinged joint includes a hinge pin and at least one bearing eye. The at least one bearing eye forms a continuous longitudinal slit for radial insertion of the hinge pin. The slit extends diagonally relative to the axis of the at least one bearing eye so that at least one spring portion has to be twisted during radial insertion of the hinge pin into the at least one bearing eye.
