My books indicate there was no Winchester 1898, either a rifle or shotgun.
Browning patented a pump action shotgun in 1890 which became the Winchester Model 1898. My mother has one which was her father's. It's a nice gun, but I don't know how to date a specific serial #.
I'm guessing that 968386 was not the first one :)
your Winchester model 1892 was made by Winchester in 1896.
With the serial number that you have supplied;your Winchester model 1894 rifle was made in the year 1974.
1905.
Your Winchester model 1897 shotgun was made by Winchester in 1927.
Your Winchester model 1894 rifle/carbine was made in the year 1971,with the serial number that you have provided.
Your Winchester model 1894 rifle was made in the year 1903,with the serial number that you have provided.
Your serial number indicates that your Winchester model 1897 shotgun was made in the year 1917.
your serial number indicates that your Winchester model 1897 shotgun was made in the year 1933.
your model 1897 Winchester shotgun was made in 1914.
It was built in 1922.
Your Winchester model 1897 shotgun was made in the year 1951.
1926