I hear all of you talking about how the gunsmith has to ask for a deposit to be sure he does not get screwed, but I had it work the other way. Forty years ago when I was a graduate student I had a great desire to have a custom made 54 caliber Hawken rifle. My wife bless her heart decided to buy one for me. We arranged it with the gunsmith, made the substantial down payment he asked for and agreed to the construction schedule. Despite letters to him asking for progress reports, the next time I heard from him was 20-25 years latter when he sent his geologist brother to me to ask for a job. He obviously knew where I was. The gunsmith is still working. I have from time to time, mostly when I see his name in print, wondered if he has changed his business practices.