You sure the last number of the cartouche isn't a 5?  Could be 1898 if it went back to the arsenal for a full rebuild and needed a stock.  The slotted band didn't come into use until up around serial #250,000, but was often retrofitted upon rebuilds.  So your solid band would seem more correct.  However, if it doesn't fit right you'd be better off with the one you can tighten.  If you pull on the barrel and the forearm behind the band, in opposite vertical directions, you shouldn't be able to detect any movement.  I've had some that allow too much movement.

If it is not a modified 1892 stock and it has the proper wood contour at the bolt root, then it must be a replacement stock of Model 1896 form, and the date is probably not 1898 - though I would tread lightly and not change anything irreversible until I was sure of what I was doing.

It might be an 1896 stock.  1892 stocks do not have lightening cuts in the barrel channel, 1896 stocks do have the cuts.  The cartouche for a model 96 stock could range from 1896 to 1898.  The 1896 stock also has a thicker wrist.