FACOP "Top Security" Lock... Has anyone ever seen this one?

[HardLuck682]

I am serving in Afghanistan currently, and there are several locks I have come across that i have seen nowhere else. I'm totally new to locksport, but I have always had a fascination with anything mechanical. So naturally locks peaked my interest. This one lock is very interesting. It has a small rectangular keyway, and I have never seen anything like it. I even tried a google search for this lock and brand and have found nothing. I was just wondering if any of you have ever seen this lock, or would know how to go about bypassing it. As you can see, the key itself is just a rectangular shaft with identical cuts on both sides. I also have found no way to take the plug out of the lock body either.
a few picks of the lock and key:

[MacGyver101]

I've not heard of that brand before, but that style of lock uses what's usually referred to as a "disc detainer" locking mechanism; instead of using pins or levers, the key rotates a series of discs (similar to how a safe combination lock works) in order to open the lock.

Abloy has been producing locks in that style for over 100 years -- and still produce some of the world's highest-security locks in that style (e.g., Abloy Protec). In North America, at least, they became popular in the 90's after Kryptonite and other bicycle lock manufacturers quickly switched to these in place of tubular locks. In the last five years or so there have been an explosion of cheaply-made disc-detainer padlocks; they're not made to particularly high standards, and are a pretty easy pick if you have the right tool.

[HardLuck682]

Thank you MacGyver101.. sounds cool enough for me to keep for a while and add it to my collection.

[MacGyver101]

Just a quick correction to what I'd written above... I'd thought that Kryptonite's "Bic pen" problems happened in the 90's, but it was actually more recently than that; the story first broke in the mainstream press in September 2004. I guess time doesn't fly as quickly as we think sometimes.

[Legion303]

Is it just my lack of skill with disc detainers speaking, or does that lock only have two discs?

-steve

[MacGyver101]

Is it just my lack of skill with disc detainers speaking, or does that lock only have two discs?

Well, it only has two that are a non-zero cut... which is a bit strange, but still a valid keying combination. I'd guess five or six discs, from the spacing on the key.