In 1923, the W.E. Kautenberg Company, successors to the Waukegan Mfg Co., moved to a new 15,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Freeport, Illinois. Under the direction of William E. Kautenberg, the company was renamed and they manufactured handles for brooms and brushes, mops, toys, hardware, and general wooden ware specialties. This washer agitator was one of those made after 1923.
Like a modern top-load washer has an auger, this was the same function. Put your soapy water and clothes in a bucket, and plunge up and down while rotating to agitate the clothes clean.
The plunger here has no dents and nice antique look to it. The wood handle is slightly loose and rotates independently of the auger. The top of the handle is rough, like it was chewed on or something. About 3 feet long. Every piece has a story, and we can only imagine the history of this great piece!