Are you by any chance in Germany or have been there? We have a local supermarket chain REWE, older stores have ESL Price tags on the shelf which you can only (re-)move by using a "key" like you have in the picture, to insert in the side of the tag and pull a lever down. I have one on my keychain as well
Now, I'm not positive, but this looks a lot like it belongs on a firemans keyring in a high rise city. In major cities, fireman carry these keyrings with an assortment of strange tools used to open elevators and utility boxes. A Google image search will display just how much variation there exists between these individual tools.
I was stuck in an elevator for almost an hour a few years back, and first responders kept saying, "the key is coming." I had plenty of time to think... In what kind of world is there only one freaking key to open an elevator?
When the firefighter who owned the privilege of holding the only damn key in the neighborhood finally got there—believe it or not—he had to do security procedures so that everyone stayed safe. One of the first responders lost her shit, took the key, and opened the door.
Im a voluntarily fireman in Germany, but on our toolring there is nothing similar to my thing. Next time i will be at the fire department, I will ask the commander if it could possibly be an old tool. Thanks :)
I have only ever seen the one with the toggle on the end, but then again I only worked for two buildings that have elevators. Maybe the FD has that ring
If you look at your own image you will see it is not one of those. So no, it’s not an elevator opening key. Plus I’ve used a universal set of elevator door keys myself and not one has a pin sticking out the side as in OP’s pic.
So I’ve got chains of questions I can ask to try to narrow down what it might be. Did you buy the car was the car gift? Have you had the key chain thing since the car was new? Was it a gift? Was it something you found? We need context of where it came from to tell you what it is. Maybe your parents had it for a keychain and knowing what your parents did would be helpful to figuring it out. Do you need a lot of context unless it’s something that can be readily identified. I’m not saying there’s no one on Reddit. That knows exactly what it is if they stumble across this post, but until we find that person context can go a long way to help us in figuring this out.
We got an Audi keychain as a gift, I think my parents put this thing on the second key. 9 years later, they also don’t know what it is or where it came from.
No not at all, my dad is head of trademarks in a big company and my mom worked as a kindergartener. The both aren’t able to hold a screwdriver properly.
That is interesting. My only other idea would be related to your house. Something that was left from a previous owner, or something that a friend or family member brought over. I just had a random thought that it’s a gearshift linkage. Perhaps motorcycle or ATV. Not sure why that suddenly occurred to me, but I think that might be related. I would say boat, but every boat one I’ve ever seen had a lot of plastic on the linkages.
Are you by any chance in Germany or have been there? We have a local supermarket chain REWE, older stores have ESL Price tags on the shelf which you can only (re-)move by using a "key" like you have in the picture, to insert in the side of the tag and pull a lever down. I have one on my keychain as well
Unfortunately it’s to keep on the outside, To get the doors open. There’s a slot, you turn that key and it releases the doors so you can get in the elevator shaft. That’s my thought. I’ve seen similar on older elevators.
We have a set of elevator door opening keys on a ring at work and none of them look like that. It’s a universal set to work on just about any elevator, as an industry standard so not to make it difficult to get people out when needed.
Those aren't used that often. Especially not in the field. They are too small and easy to fumble with when trying to lock a struggling suspect. We typically use a larger key, or a device that you can attach the key you've show to, which gives it a bigger 'handle' to make it easier to use.
It doesn't matter how long the shank is, the bit on the end is the only thing that matters. There's hundreds if not thousands of handcuff key designs but every one has this exact same tip
I used to carry a kubaton keychain that constantly poked me in the inner thigh. Then I took a class at work about self-/buddy-aid and saw videos of people with femoral artery wounds spurting blood like a fountain. I no longer carry a kubaton keychain.
Here's a few more suggestions through Gemini search of potential things it could be.
Roof rack or bike rack release key / tool: Some car mounting systems and aftermarket racks use specialized pins or key-tools to lock, unlock, or adjust tension mechanism levers.
Quick-release safety pin / Detent pin: Commonly found on industrial machinery, agricultural equipment, trailers, exercise equipment, or marine hardware to secure moving components while allowing fast removal.
Fire alarm manual call point / Pull station reset key: Used by building maintenance staff or technicians to reset or open specific fire alarm panels, emergency pull boxes, or specialized electrical enclosures.
Wheel lock key / Spare tire mechanism release tool: Certain older vehicles or aftermarket anti-theft wheel locks use custom-shaped pin keys or drop-pins to lower the spare tire underneath the chassis or release wheel caps.
Window / Door lock emergency release key: Used in commercial or residential buildings (such as security shutter locks, skylight controls, or anti-vandal hardware) to disengage internal locking latches.
Gas meter or utility box key: Specialized lock keys used by utility companies to access sealed meter enclosures, electrical panels, or street cabinets.
Vintage clock or music box winding key extension: An adapter or winding key tool used for antique clocks, mechanical toys, or specific industrial timers.
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Are you by any chance in Germany or have been there? We have a local supermarket chain REWE, older stores have ESL Price tags on the shelf which you can only (re-)move by using a "key" like you have in the picture, to insert in the side of the tag and pull a lever down. I have one on my keychain as well
It looks like the part you attach tool heads to on those cheap screwdriver/ratchet sets you can get around the holidays. The end with the flat edges goes in the handle - which is obviously missing, the other end hold the tips. The pin slides in to lock the tool head in place. I can't tell you exactly what kind of tool set it was, but for 10 years I worked for a chain retail store that sold several types of these kits during the holidays, and the failure of these particular pieces was the source of many a return.
The object in the image appears to be a specialized oval head security bit key used to remove proprietary security screws on the back panels of certain espresso and coffee machines.
I had a full set of "fireman's" keys for when i had to check the communal lofts and basements in council buildings. They generally come as a full set of the most common keys any emergency rescuers would need.
Drop key for opening elevator doors. They can open the doors while the elevator is running so safety protocols are in place. Usually only elevator technicians and fire personnel have access to them.
The two that have the most unique answer and have said it entirely confident are the people saying it is to unlock the digital price tags at the store. One of them was from Germany.
The closest thing I can find is a car radio removal tool. You mentioned you got an Audi keychain as a gift so potentially it was on that keychain used for that specific model Audi?
If the little hook wasn't on there it would look like a urethra plug. Like it isn't painfull enough without it lets put a pin on there and jamm it in there
* mal im Rewe gearbeitet?
Sieht für mich aus als ob das der „Schlüssel“
für die elektronischen Preisschilder ist
An der Seite ist eine kleine Öffnung an dem man einen Plastikstift im Schild runterzieht damit man das aus der Preisschild Leiste nehmen kann
Ganz genau! Ich hab das auch gerade geschrieben aber jetzt Danach erst deinen Kommentar gesehen.
Ich hab das Ding auch am Schlüssel und die Schilder ab zu machen
Yeah,I was gonna say , elevator key to open sliding door from the outside...I worked maintenance in a highrise apartment building,
used this tool a number of times!
Having used one very similar to this, I'm pretty sure this is a Police handcuff key. They aren't all alike, different brands often have different keys. Sometimes they work well in other sets of cuffs, sometimes they don't, which is a real PITA when you want to use them.
The locking device is on the same handcuff key. It’s the small pin sticking out on the opposite end. What OP is asking about is not what you’re giving as an answer.
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