Abstract: A locking and release mechanism includes two interlocked members, and two detents which hold the two interlocked members together. One of the two detents is magnetically operated and the other is mechanically operated. The mechanically operated detent involves the use of a mechanical operating member which moves through a channel, and an additional movable magnetic element which selectively blocks the channel. A special release member, which may be thought of as a key, carries both the mechanical member for extending through the channel and two magnets for operating the magnetically-operated detent, and the movable blocking member for the mechanically operated latch.