But while he probably prided himself on being a great surplus and "close-out" buyer (something of an art form in itself), Sig Shore was far more than that.

For his great insight as to what people "really" wanted, made him a true innovator instead!

Just a couple of weeks ago, I was in Portland, Oregon for the Annual National Colt Collectors Show.And for as much as Colt still points to their commemoratives and limited-run firearms, it was actually Sig Shore who started them down that trail in 1961 when he asked them to build a small group of Colt Single-Action Sheriff's Models. While it commemorated "nothing" (it was just another, albeit successful, promotional tool to Sig), it was the first of its kind and it occupies the top slot in most year-by-year, historical listings of commemorative and special production firearms. I was happy to see at that same show, that the few samples of these guns did change hands, for between two and five thousand dollars each!

Sig redirected his business once again when the federal firearms laws changed in 1968 and limited the industry's ability to import things as freely as before. In doing so, he created the largest retail sporting goods gun business in the area in the 1970's.

In turn, in the early 1980's, he used the success of that business to make this store one of the "must see" stops for anyone who was a police officer in the Northern part of Illinois. It should be noted that now it was Sig's son Mitch, who has been running the business for some time, who made his father's dream of making Shore Galleries a premier law enforcement sales outlet a reality in the 1990's.

Recognizing that evolution, as we attend yet another auction here today brings us full circle. For what started things off here almost 50 years ago, has actually brought us together this afternoon. It was this bond that exists among firearms owners that Sig Shore always recognized and was also a big part of himself.

Many private businesses never succeed at all. Some are only destined to last only a few years. But there are a few businesses that are driven like this one, by a man of vision and determination, that succeed like no other.

Shore Galleries changed with the times. Shore Galleries grew with the times. And Shore Galleries succeeded in spite of the continuing passage of ever-more freedom-restricting laws that Sig Shore fought every day during the time I knew him. I think that Sig would be proud that we are all still here today; carrying on the tradition that he's built and then supported by always doing what he could to keep it legal to still own guns in this state.

And while he might have argued "occasionally" with his customers, his employees, and even his auction buyers, he generally argued for the right reasons and he always argued the loudest when it came to the rights of the people.

Those arguments and that voice (especially on days like this) will be greatly missed. So listen and keep him in mind during your stay here today . . .