The Cut and Crush is on the magicians table and he invites a spectator to come up and assist. The spectator is set directly to the side and asked to bare the right arm. The magician shows a large blade with handle and directs attention to rollers that are activated by turning a crank with wheels on the side facing the audience demonstrating this action.

The magician unlocks the rollers and removes the top roller and has the arm placed inside of the cabinet so it is visible to the audience. After the arm is removed a slice of bread is placed on the bottom roller and the upper roller locked back in place. The handle is turned as the magician places his hand inside the cabinet helping the bread through the rollers after which the flattened condition of the bread is shown.

He then takes the blade and cuts celery and a carrot demonstrating the real cutting ability. A panel is slid vertically into metal tracks on the front of the cabinet closing the view into the interior. The magician starts the spectators hand in-between the rollers cranking the handle until the arm is in as far as it will go.

The blade is now inserted vertically into a slot that is just behind the rollers. At this point the panel may be opened slightly and a flat cloth hand shape may be removed as a gag. The front panel is slid open and is seen to be empty!

This front panel is now slid half closed and the hand is doubled up and thrown into the cabinet quickly closing the panel all the way. The crank handle is now turned in reverse as the arm with the help of the magician is slowly withdrawn showing no harm has been done!

This is one of the most unusual items to come from the early days of Abbott's and is made in wood with metal trim and built in gimmicks. This measures 18" in length and has a height of 11" not including the blade when placed in.

The trim and metal track in which the sliding front panel travels was originally put on using small straight brad nails which over time tend to loosen and come away which is the case on the metal track. A trip to the hardware store for the same size but in metal screws to replace. An unknown to spectators gimmick on the inside has some edge chipping and may be replaced with new if desired.

The blade is made of copper with wood handle and the crank handle and top trim are removable for travel and extra rubber belts are supplied for the front side turning wheels. The blade handle on one side has scuffing paint absence. Includes 2 pages of instructions and one rare piece to find. Condition very good.