Can anyone tell me what kind of key this is?

[AdornMe]

I have been looking all over, trying to identify it, but cannot. I thought I'd ask the experts, if you will indulge me...

[gloves]

That picture is really small and doesn't give focus to more details other than the aesthetic and symbolic barn swallow holding the key

It looks too flat and doesn't look it leaves room for wards, so it probably isn't that of a warded lock. It's round yet double-and-flat shape won't make it functional for a tubular pin tumbler.

Maybe that irregular side towards the camera means it's a bitted key, one of those used in lever tumbler locks?

I am just guessing, it could even simply be an odd S-shaped key opening a very simple pin tumbler lock

Awaiting a more knowledgeable one or possible a better picture from a different angle. Thank you

[MacGyver101]

I'd guess some sort of very simple push-key, perhaps for a simple latch on a diary or writing desk (?)... but, as gloves says, we'll need a better picture to be of much help.

[gloves]

I'd guess some sort of very simple push-key, perhaps for a simple latch on a diary or writing desk (?)... but, as gloves says, we'll need a better picture to be of much help.

By saying "very simple pin tumbler" in my previous post, I intended something which concurs on your suggestion of simple almost "toy-like" key for a diary or some other fancy item so I guess two can't be wrong, or not that much based on the picture provided.

[AdornMe]

Thank you for responding! Here is a photo:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/57483870@N07/6767145949/in/photostream

I hope it's clear enough. The light isn't great, but you can see the other side, and it might give more information than the side with the swallow. Thank you all so much.

[gloves]

Thank you for responding! Here is a photo:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/57483870@N07/6767145949/in/photostream

I hope it's clear enough. The light isn't great, but you can see the other side, and it might give more information than the side with the swallow. Thank you all so much.

Thanks for posting a better photo. I support MacGyver's idea of a push-key, really it looks like just a shaped sheet of metal which inserted in the keyway makes enough leverage to rotate it. That's my guess because I won't see a point in using pins in a cylinder whose physical sizes/limits are the key, without any variance.

[AdornMe]

Thanks, gloves.

It's a little thing -- maybe about an inch in length. Would a desk key be that small? It's supposed to be old, from what I was told, but I'm just starting to learn about keys, and what I know so far isn't enough to speak of. It's good to feel like I have some idea of what it is. I googled over and over again and only got confused.

[gloves]

Thanks, gloves.

It's a little thing -- maybe about an inch in length. Would a desk key be that small? It's supposed to be old, from what I was told, but I'm just starting to learn about keys, and what I know so far isn't enough to speak of. It's good to feel like I have some idea of what it is. I googled over and over again and only got confused.

You're welcome

There is no set object-key size, moreover on a cheap rather than security-provider lock as that one opened by such a key. There are models of locks whose width ranges from 30 to 90mm without any huge difference in their keyhole size.

On a desk or some other furniture, you may want a better grip on a larger key, but other than this ergonomic liking, there's nothing set in stone. A latch on a diary as suggested by MacGyver may be another valid suggestion.

Unfortunately if there's nobody on here who had the same key in hand and reads thru this discussion, I think it'd be hard to find who made it and what it was for. Such simple mechanisms are often unbranded and kept unlinkable at best. You may find more productive and probable to go digging through your sources of that hardware piece than finding an unnamed model.

[AdornMe]

Much appreciated, gloves. You have all definitely helped to give me direction and I thank you.

[unjust]

from the picture i don't see any wear at all either on the patina or key metal, which makes me suspect it's not old, or has had a very sheltered life.

i've seen similar keys for hand bags and small luggage as well as books and furniture, including a few hidden catches that are concealed in ornamentation.

that said, the first thing i thought of on seeing the picture was "i wonder if that'd fit the paper towel holder"

[Raymond]

It might be the key to an electric light system switch. The special shape simply allows it to fit into the switch where it pushes back one spring. You can then move the switch up or down. Use of this type switch keeps troublemakes from turning the lights on or off for fun and gives management some control.

[rphillips52]

Plenty of toilet paper / liquid soap dispensers / paper towel holders for public toilets, with keys that simple. Several different makes and keys, but a common operation is just turning and pushing aside 2 plastic claws to allow opening the lid. Keyway is usually shaped to exclude something straight such as a penknife blade.
2-3 decades ago some [Finnish, I think, Scandinavian certainly] money boxes used a similar idea, though this is not their key.