I have a 1996 Fluke brochure that shows the 87 without any CAT markings. The earliest manual I know of for the 87-III is dated October of 1997. So there's not much time in there for an intermediate model and unless they quickly aborted the -II version before selling (m)any, I'd think someone somewhere would have one to show off and I've never seen one. The only meter I know of that acquired CAT ratings without a model change is the 27, although the meter internals did change when it got the rating. The 27 appears in the 1996 brochure without CAT ratings.
CAT 1/II/III were definitely a thing by 1996 as other products in the brochure do mention and/or have CAT markings--Scopemeters, the 867, some current clamps and a lot of test leads, clips and adapters all specify it. I suppose they might have been considering releasing a CAT-updated 87 and then decided to change the model designation so as to sell more by convincing customers to trade in or replace their 'obsolete' unrated 87 models.