A handle for an endoscope has a handle housing, an operating member (7) accommodated in said handle, at least one pull wire (17) attached to said operating member (7), and at least one guide tube (16) surrounding and supporting said at least one pull wire (17). The guide tube (16) is fixed with respect to said handle housing at at least a first location. A direction guide (24) adapted for directing the free end of the pull wire (17) in a desired direction during assembly of the endoscope is provided at said first location.