Multiple-character-impressing stamps, and character-holding magazines for use with such stamps

A multiple-character-impressing stamp of the individually-insertable-and-removable-character kind is hand-operated and is equipped with a mechanism which, when operated, will eject any selected one of the characters from the stamp without the need to dismantle the stamping head. The mechanism comprises a pushrod (28) which is slidable into and out of the character-holding head (11) of the stamp and which works in combination with a member (25) slidable or rotatable across the stamp body. The character-ejecting end of the pushrod (28) is constrained to move with said member (25) in linear or curving motion back and forth across the stamping head (11). A spring-loaded detent means (D, CS) locates and holds the movable member (25) in each of a plurality of selectable positions across the stamping head (11). When the member is so held, the end of the rod (28) is positioned behind a selected character-bearing block (15) and the rod can be operated to eject that character from the stamping head. A magazine is also disclosed which cooperates with the stamp in such a way that any selected character can be ejected from the magazine and into a character-receiving space in the stamping head without the need to handle the character-bearing blocks (15).