This is only a guess now; but at the end of the shaft the colour is quite shiny. Could the tool be incomplete and have something over that end?
The answer is in!!! Someone on a woodworking forum came up with the correct answer. It is.....DRUM ROLL A Mauser Broomhandle Pistol Cleaning rod
Cool - Funny, I just acquired a Mauser model 98 8MM rifle. Needs a strap and bayonet - I'll post some pics in a new thread when I get around to it. Hopefully someone can know some info about it!