[ithacaartist]

Time warp to around 1972.
The most memorable collector I met was named Hockeborn. He lived in Auburn, NY, which was very close to where I lived at the time, Waterloo.
A co-worker had given me his number; I called and introduced myself, and we set up a time to meet the next day.
Mr. Hockeborn's collection was housed in a special area of his basement; some Lugers were in a display case and others were displayed on a wall system.

Memories of this collection amaze me still, even though at that time I really didn't know what I was looking at! I definitely recall a full carbine setup, and a 9mm with its Erma .22 conversion kit. The mists of time do shroud the rest, but I'm thinking he had just about every significant example for what seemed like a very comprehensive collection.

While pretty meaningless and unimpressive to others, this reminiscence serves me as a reminder that time is short and that you better do what you think you want to do, pretty much as soon after you think of it as you can. That was my last contact with Mr. Hockeborn and his Lugers, as life intervened, as it will. It was also the point at which I should have started collecting. Better late than never, eh?

By the way, has anyone else on the forum heard of Mr. Hockeborn or his collection?