diff --git a/acl/src/main/java/org/springframework/security/acls/AclFormattingUtils.java b/acl/src/main/java/org/springframework/security/acls/AclFormattingUtils.java
index 4680086f32..7536c00ca8 100644
--- a/acl/src/main/java/org/springframework/security/acls/AclFormattingUtils.java
+++ b/acl/src/main/java/org/springframework/security/acls/AclFormattingUtils.java
@@ -63,17 +63,11 @@ public abstract class AclFormattingUtils {
         return new String(replacement);
     }
 
-    private static String printBinary(int i, char on, char off) {
-        String s = Integer.toString(i, 2);
-        String pattern = Permission.THIRTY_TWO_RESERVED_OFF;
-        String temp2 = pattern.substring(0, pattern.length() - s.length()) + s;
-
-        return temp2.replace('0', off).replace('1', on);
-    }
-
     /**
      * Returns a representation of the active bits in the presented mask, with each active bit being denoted by
-     * character "".<p>Inactive bits will be denoted by character {@link Permission#RESERVED_OFF}.</p>
+     * character '*'.
+     * <p>
+     * Inactive bits will be denoted by character {@link Permission#RESERVED_OFF}.
      *
      * @param i the integer bit mask to print the active bits for
      *
@@ -102,4 +96,12 @@ public abstract class AclFormattingUtils {
 
         return printBinary(mask, Permission.RESERVED_ON, Permission.RESERVED_OFF).replace(Permission.RESERVED_ON, code);
     }
+
+    private static String printBinary(int i, char on, char off) {
+        String s = Integer.toString(i, 2);
+        String pattern = Permission.THIRTY_TWO_RESERVED_OFF;
+        String temp2 = pattern.substring(0, pattern.length() - s.length()) + s;
+
+        return temp2.replace('0', off).replace('1', on);
+    }
 }
diff --git a/acl/src/main/java/org/springframework/security/acls/Permission.java b/acl/src/main/java/org/springframework/security/acls/Permission.java
index 53e6bb5dbe..003f4a5493 100644
--- a/acl/src/main/java/org/springframework/security/acls/Permission.java
+++ b/acl/src/main/java/org/springframework/security/acls/Permission.java
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ package org.springframework.security.acls;
 import java.io.Serializable;
 
 /**
- * Represents a permission granted to a {@link org.springframework.security.acls.sid.Sid Sid} for a given domain object.
+ * Represents a permission granted to a <tt>Sid</tt> for a given domain object.
  *
  * @author Ben Alex
  * @version $Id$
@@ -46,10 +46,11 @@ public interface Permission extends Serializable {
      * {@link #RESERVED_OFF} which is used to denote a bit that is off (clear).
      * Implementations may also elect to use {@link #RESERVED_ON} internally for computation purposes,
      * although this method may not return any <code>String</code> containing {@link #RESERVED_ON}.
-     * </p>
-     *  <p>The returned String must be 32 characters in length.</p>
-     *  <p>This method is only used for user interface and logging purposes. It is not used in any permission
-     * calculations. Therefore, duplication of characters within the output is permitted.</p>
+     * <p>
+     * The returned String must be 32 characters in length.
+     * <p>
+     * This method is only used for user interface and logging purposes. It is not used in any permission
+     * calculations. Therefore, duplication of characters within the output is permitted.
      *
      * @return a 32-character bit pattern
      */
diff --git a/acl/src/main/java/org/springframework/security/acls/domain/AbstractPermission.java b/acl/src/main/java/org/springframework/security/acls/domain/AbstractPermission.java
index 480f52489d..ebc7440a0e 100644
--- a/acl/src/main/java/org/springframework/security/acls/domain/AbstractPermission.java
+++ b/acl/src/main/java/org/springframework/security/acls/domain/AbstractPermission.java
@@ -5,11 +5,9 @@ import org.springframework.security.acls.Permission;
 
 /**
  * Provides an abstract superclass for {@link Permission} implementations.
- * 
+ *
  * @author Ben Alex
  * @since 2.0.3
- * @see AbstractRegisteredPermission
- * 
  */
 public abstract class AbstractPermission implements Permission {
 
@@ -19,7 +17,23 @@ public abstract class AbstractPermission implements Permission {
     protected int mask;
 
     //~ Constructors ===================================================================================================
+    /**
+     * Sets the permission mask and uses the '*' character to represent active bits when represented as a bit
+     * pattern string.
+     *
+     * @param mask the integer bit mask for the permission
+     */
+    protected AbstractPermission(int mask) {
+        this.mask = mask;
+        this.code = '*';
+    }
 
+    /**
+     * Sets the permission mask and uses the specified character for active bits.
+     *
+     * @param mask the integer bit mask for the permission
+     * @param code the character to print for each active bit in the mask (see {@link Permission#getPattern()})
+     */
     protected AbstractPermission(int mask, char code) {
         this.mask = mask;
         this.code = code;
diff --git a/acl/src/main/java/org/springframework/security/acls/domain/BasePermission.java b/acl/src/main/java/org/springframework/security/acls/domain/BasePermission.java
index 21611cb3ac..c3128d9a55 100644
--- a/acl/src/main/java/org/springframework/security/acls/domain/BasePermission.java
+++ b/acl/src/main/java/org/springframework/security/acls/domain/BasePermission.java
@@ -44,6 +44,10 @@ public class BasePermission extends AbstractPermission {
     static {
         registerPermissionsFor(BasePermission.class);
     }
+    
+    protected BasePermission(int mask) {
+       super(mask);
+    }
 
     protected BasePermission(int mask, char code) {
         super(mask, code);