There is provided a method of manufacturing a metal shell formed body by cold forging for a metal shell of a spark plug. In the manufacturing method, a semi-finished formed body is first provided with a second inner step without the formation of an annular front end portion. After the semi-finished formed body is inserted from its front end side into a die, a punch is pushed into the semi-finished formed body from its rear end side. By pushing the punch, an annular front-facing surface of the punch is pushed onto the second inner step so as to press a front end portion of the formed body against an annular front end portion forming part of the die. By such a forming step, the metal shell formed body is obtained in which the annular front end portion is formed by extrusion.