Thanks for posting pics of your 1896. I lettered mine back in the summer and mine has a 5 digit ser# that was shipped in 1901. Forum member Twaits has or had one with a 4 digit ser# that was shipped just a few days difference than mine. The serial numbers on these seem to be all over. They seem to have been made and then shipped in no particular order as demand dictated. From what I gather Antique status on these are dictated by the factory letter date of shipment.

Maybe my eyes are getting bad but your serial number in the photo looks more like 5439?