The origin of the Long Branch "Maltese cross" mark?

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The first Rules for Iron Ships were published in the 1855 Register. These were revised and the classification symbol updated in 1870. The iron barque Lizzie Leslie was the first iron vessel to be assigned the new notation [cross inserted]100A1. An international organisation Lloyd’s Register’s first surveyor to be appointed overseas was Captain Thomas Menzies, a shipbuilder from Leith, who was posted to Quebec and the St. Lawrence River in 1852. It was Menzies who, in 1853, suggested to the General Committee the use of the Maltese Cross [example inserted here in original text] to indicate a vessel had been built under special survey.
This is perceived to be the first use of a quality mark anywhere in the world.

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http://www.lr.org/Images/31%20lloyd%...155-173544.pdf

So, if thanks to Lloyds, the "Maltese cross" had become recognized generally as a quality mark, might this be why it was adopted for use on the parts selected for the sniper conversions built at Long Branch?

(It is correctly known as a Cross Formée apparently, not having the recess and two outward points on each arm of the true Maltese cross)

I had the impression that a Maltese Cross was a mark of a nonstandard or replacement part, perhaps of a higher grade. For instance, the foreend of my BSA 1945 T rifle has such a mark.

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Originally Posted by Maple_Leaf_Eh

I had the impression that a Maltese Cross was a mark of a nonstandard or replacement part, perhaps of a higher grade. For instance, the foreend of my BSA 1945 T rifle has such a mark.

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I had the impression nothing official has come to light on it so far; is that correct? I have never heard of it being on UK made parts; is yours the first such case known?

The reason that mention twigged with me was frankly a "Maltese" cross is a very odd choice, given its German associations in both world wars, so it would seem that there must have been some pre-existing association for it to be chosen and that is the only one I have ever seen.

Barring some kind of confirmation from the records, this theory hinges on the extent to which that quality mark was known at that time: did it cross over from the shipbuilding and insurance fields to others? That is something I would have to research more, but given that Lloyds insures much more than ships I can see how it might have gained a certain currency outside its original field.

Older thread which shows up in Google CSE (white search box in top right corner of site) with information as well .. ;)

LB rear sight id


Regards,
Doug