A rare 19th Century instrument of ebony, steel and silver by Charriere. The intricate mechanism is built to the highest standard. The pincer blades anchor the body of the cervix and can be opened and closed by pulling the button at the base of the handles. The blade would then be moved into position by sliding the frame up or down the central shaft. It is held away from the body of the cervix by a strong spring which when released pushes the cutting edge of the blade into the cervix. The blade can then be rotated to resect circumferentially, using the pincer arms as a solid surface against which to cut. This instrument would have been used to remove the cervix in the cases of cervical cancer.