a damping device for a printing hammer which is driven by an electromagnetically actuated pivotable armature has a circuit associated therewith for operating the electromagnetic coils which generates a high excitation current for rapid acceleration of the armature and printing hammer which is followed by a switch over to a considerably lower holding current which maintains the armature in a position to abut the printing hammer during its return stroke . the armature also actuates a rotatable angle lever into engagement with the printing hammer for frictional braking thereof so that the hammer is rapidly damped to a rest position and is ready for a subsequent printing stroke .