A primary coil former for an ignition coil has a winding carrier surface configured for a primary coil wound thereon. Two primary winding stops limit the winding carrier surface at first and second axial ends of the carrier surface, respectively. Two holders are formed at the first axial end, each configured for holding one end of a winding wire. Two deflection domes are formed at the second axial end, one of the domes configured for guiding a winding wire back to the winding carrier surface for a clockwise winding and the other dome configured for guiding a winding wire back to the winding carrier surface for a counterclockwise winding. A groove in the winding carrier surface receives a winding wire which leads from one of the ends of the winding carrier surface up to a gap between the two deflection domes at the opposite end of the winding carrier surface.