Abstract: An embossing head (2) is mounted on an embossing device (1) for movement between an inactive position and a position in which it is pressed against a sheet of metal supported on an anvil (5) to emboss an identification or serial number. The embossing head includes a series of serrated rollers (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f) which are rotatably mounted on a transverse axle (7). The rollers are stacked immediately adjacent each other without intervening space. A one piece operating pawl (13) includes a series of staged teeth (29a, 29b, 29c, 29d, 29e, 29f) descending in height from a first to a last of the teeth. The pawl further includes a side projection (30) which lifts the teeth over numbers on the rollers to limit wear.