Can you identify this key?

[Spot]

Hi, I work as a locksmith and about 2 weeks ago a customer came in to the shop and asked if we could copy this key. We said we would look into it but the prospect of duplicating it was slim. The customer is desperate to get hold of a few more keys, and we're sure someone somewhere must have the answer.We attended the yearly South of England Master Locksmiths Association (MLA) weekend in Bournmouth and showed lots of people the key but no-one could say they had ever seen a key like it before.
There are some things about the key that look familiar to some other keys, like there is a small ball bearing at the tip of the key that moves up and down (floats). This has a rough similarity to some security cylinder keys in England, like Multilock Interactive keys. On one of the side of the key it has four dimple cuts. And some parts of the profile look like it resembles a car key blank.
There is a code number written on the head of the key as you can see. It reads: PH0145606 16-5
The total length of the key is 77 mm.
The key is for a high security purpose and as such can't write down here what it is for.
If anyone out there can help, please reply. Many thanks.

[cha0s]

AHHH you cant tease like that and not say what its for!! give us something general.. ill be wondering what this is to forever! /cry

[zeke79]

I have not come across a key like that either. I would say the "floating ball" is similar to the newer DOM IX series of locks. That may be a starting point .

[Shrub]

I thought it was one of those funny chinese dimple locks at first but the numbers dont seem right for one of those, cant you hint at what its for, it may give us a starting point

[Spot]

It's difficult to say what it's for because it is a security key and if people knew where it was for then some of the security may be compromised..

[Spot]

I have not come across a key like that either. I would say the "floating ball" is similar to the newer DOM IX series of locks. That may be a starting point .

Thanks for that. I haven't seen that key (DOM IX) before. I'll look out for it

[digital_blue]

I would say that the manufacturer of the lock, or perhaps the manufacturer of the <insert secret thing you can't mention here> would be the best starting place. Whatever that key goes into had to be made by somebody, no?

db

[Shrub]

I must admit it does look like a key ive seen before, not in its entireity but as in the bow and long stem, i just for the life of me cant think what for, it could have been a detonator box but im not sure, the only reason i asked was so i could jiggle my brains.

Dont worry i understand your concerns, you have posted the biting of the key though and if i was to come across a blank i could make one and then find where you live then follow you around until you saw the customer then follow him/her around until they used the lock then wait for them to go then use it with my key and fettle it up on site, lol only jabbing yer

Did you ask Chris Belcher at the MLA show? hes a wealth of knowledge.

[Spot]

Hi Shrub, Yes we asked Chris Belcher at the MLA event, and lots of other knowledgeable people there, but we couldn't find out who the manufacturer might have been.