Wherever I go, if I click on the vote totals tooltip on a locked question or answer that has historical significance, there is always a > present just before the description. This screenshot:

Confirms that. This screenshot:

Is of a post that is not locked. Why is this behavior only present in locked post vote-totals tooltips? Why is it present at all?

An example post:

Jon Skeet Facts; it has a historical lock. Hover over or click on the vote-totals tooltips on the answers as well as the question.

It also happens when reviewing VLQ posts that are not locked: