So, I picked it up and played with it. It's a wire brush with a wooden cylinder on it. The small metal pin sticks out, and you can spin the metal cylinder around on the handle.
My first guess was a self cleaning pipe brush, but some how (even as I was saying it) I absolutely knew that wasn't what this thing is. So, do you have a guess?
If you want another hint, I have a second picture that includes an additional clue:
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/t0nP8vNk3o0s5gf2tnwvww?feat=directlink
Later,
SteveO