"David" wrote in message
...
What is the history and meaning behind the work "MARK" to designate
military
equipment ? The web site www.designation-systems.net says the Navy uses
the Mark - Mod nomenclature but doesn't say what the significance or
meaning
of the word "Mark" is. Does anybody know ?

Since the "American Heritage Dictionary" has as one of entries under mark...

c. Capital M. A particular mode, brand, size, or quality of a product.
Usually followed by a designation such as a numeral and used attributively:
This automobile is the Mark X model.

Combined with the nautical meaning of mark (A knot or piece of material
placed at various measured lengths on a lead line to indicate the depth of
the water.) I think it is simply a way of distinguishing one model from
another, nothing more.

Regards,

Tex (who is assuming you REALLY wanted to know about the Marks of military
aircraft as this is not a general military forum)