CQD

This padlock was not made to commemorate the sinking of the Titanic

This padlock was offered in the Simmons Hardware Co. catalogs of 1910 thru 1917. The Titanic sank on April 15, 1912 which leads me believe that this padlock was adopted as the commemorative for the Titanic instead of being made to commemorate the Titanic.

I believe that the padlock was made to illuminate the use of the wireless telegraph in the maritime industry. The following article states that the "CQD" code was used from 1904 thru 1917, then in 1918 it was replaced with "SOS".

Simmons Private Brands Locks - Alvin Sellens 1995

The Origin of "CQD"