Trapdoor Rifles

I picked this up Saturday at the Baltimore show. I really don't know much about the meaning of the Star, I saw a couple different thoughts on them. Just curious what someone with more knowledge thinks. Ser 176405☆. Someone did some carving with a set of initials on the stock. There is a scripted P on the wrist hard to see but it's there. The Cartouche is difficult to see. I can make out I think 188? Can't tell if it's SWP. Had tools in the stock. Bore is very nice. The hammer has three positions. Pictures in the link.

https://imgur.com/a/VLsUjai

I did see 2 Forgers. One marked sold at 2150.00 I didn't handle it. The other was 1700.00 #588 it was a little worse condition than the sold one.

Shephunter, Based on one I have very close in number to yours it will be SWP 1881 cartouche. Most agree it is rebuilt using some parts from turned it rifles and Carbines and issued to militia units. Nice find enjoy it.

The short version of the "star" serial numbers on trapdoors is on the FAQ part of the main Trapdoor Collector site, but see Al Frasca's books for detailed discussion and analysis.
https://www.armscollectors.com/trapdoor/FAQ.html