SSMC/Saart Bros. Blossom Pattern

[Traintime]

It is noted that this is Saart Blossom circa 1908, and that Sterling Silver Manufacturing Company began in 1909, with Saart aquiring their patterns a few years hence....not the other way around. So, why would SSMC marks appear on these items? Could this actually be their design, with Saart taking it on later? [Shots of pattern details for reference.]