This issue shows up with reliable regularity. I have had clients who have encountered the very same issue or problems with gunsmiths, so I know that from their perspective too.

- One side of it is that good craftsmen are not necessarily good office jockeys and circumspect time planners. This is especially the case with one-person enterprises, as many gunsmiths are. And they are all aging. Work piles up, new orders are accepted on top of existing backlogs because money must come in. The most pressing client or the - for whatever reason - the "dearest", closely related, or otherwise most esteemed client is usually served before the oldest order. And isn't it understandable? rather finish three quickly done new jobs expeditiously, before an older and complicated one (parts may lack, shall have to be ordered, or even to be made from scratch, etc...)

- Health issues frequently compound the situation. Illness (not infrequently work-related) may limit the possible working time. An ever-growing backlog of old work burdens the soul, and does not improve your psychic condition. Rather, it demotivates and grinds you further down.

- The other issue is weariness, burnout and depression (in a medical senses). Depression is a very serious condition, it is not laziness. It is a "lack of zeal" and lack of industriousness only as much as a broken leg is - indeed - a "lack of nimblefootedness". Some of you may know that themselves, sadly.

- Few gunsmiths, especially few of those who have some reputation in the market, and work ethics in their heart, find the courage and frankness to respond ASAP to a client, and to reply honestly that: due to this and that circumstance, the completion of this and that task may take several months further at least. Even fewer have a habit of sending relular updates on work progress at least every three months. Although most clients are decent people (the occasional exception notwithstanding) and would understand and accept such apology, when honestly informed about the situation. But shyness or even a certain fear on part of the gunsmiths often do hold them back.

- Lastly, as sad as it to state this, many 'smiths fear that in the former case, clients would terminate the contact (as this their right) and would ask for any advance deposits to be paid back thereupon. And cash liquidity is sadly low for many, especially elder craftsmen. A life of toil, health issues created through it, but no huge bank account. Some can't pay back an advance even though they want.

I could give some advice for affected and afflicted customers, too, but may leave that to a later date.