There are, IIRC, about 7000 pieces (both rifles and carbines) marked "1896", which is, numerically, the scarcest date marking to be found, while "1895" is the second scarcest.

The lower change may (according to Mallory) have some overlap, but the upper limit probably occurs around 37100. For many years, I've owned "1896" rifle 37045, and have asked if anyone could top it - hasn't happened yet. Did you find something, or, was that just an academic question?