Can someone please help me identify this item

[sam0658]

Hi, sorry if this has already been identified on here before but I can't think what it is and don't know what to search for.

It looks like a copper dome with holes in it attached to a long wooden stick like you would find on a garden brush.
The only marking on it looks like the logo - WAFA. I couldn't find a picture off the logo on google.
It was in the cupboard under the stairs of my new house along with an old wooden ironing board.
The lady who owned the house before me was in her 90's, I thought it may have something to do with laundry as it was with the ironing board and she didn't have a washing machine.
I've uploaded pictures here:http://s1068.photobucket.com/albums/u449/sam0658/

I would really appreciate it if someone could give me details about this as I am very curious as to what it does and if its worth anything.

Thanks, Sam

[mart]

A hand plunger for washing laundry in an open container or tub !! The holes on the sides circulate the water and make suds !!  Hard darn work !! I did it once years ago when we lived in the boonies and couldn`t get a repair man out to fix a washing machine !!  I bought a new plunger, the rubber kind than you use in a bathroom, to do the same thing !! Was sure glad to see that repair man,, I could have hugged him !!

[greenacres]

It looks heavy too and awkward!

[sam0658]

Thanks for the quick reply.
That's what I thought when I first saw it, I know that was what life used to be like but I thought with it being copper it would have gone green like it does when it gets wet. Unless it is a different metal but looks like copper.

If that is what its used for the the lady who used did well to still be using it at 90.
I'll take it to be valued, now I have a good idea what it was used for.

Thanks for your help, Sam

[Rauville]

...I bought a new plunger, the rubber kind than you use in a bathroom, to do the same thing !! Was sure glad to see that repair man,, I could have hugged him !!

Mart;
You at least need to get into the 19th century with one of these:
http://non-electric.lehmans.com/search#w=rapid%20washer&asug=

[KC]

We have had these on here before....old washing plunger/agitator!!!

[Rustaholic]

I only have four or five of those.

[mart]

Hope I never have to use anything similar again !!

[Rustaholic]

I even have an old wooden washing machine that has one of those inside it.