This is developing into a very interesting thread indeed.
Here is a thought... We Talk about Makers and Controllers.... but what about assemblers?
Is it possible that there is a firm "XX" who did not make anything, but rather just assembeled?
Either as a subcontractor, or free agent.
If for example firm XX made Rims and cores, and assembeled then, and stamped them XX for control, we have a maker. If he could not assemble all me made, and sold parts to YY to be assembeled... and YY assembeled them and stamped them YY for control... then YY is indeed the "maker" as far as collector speak goes, as he assembeled and finished the cross ?