Possible 1860s corset?

[FriedaFauve]

(I'm fairly sure that this is the correct forum to post this in)
I have recently acquired a corset from a second-hand store, and surmised it to be from between 1860-1910, though my knowledge of corsetry does not allow me narrow the date down any more.  If anyone could help me, I would be much obliged.  Here is what I know:

-The waist is 22'

- Made of two layers of fine white cotton into which boning channels are sewn

-the pieces making up the corset are curved or strangely shaped

- the bones are about 1/4 inch, and likely metal

-the busk is metal, and the rust from it has stained the fabric

-there are little slits at about the bust area that close with buttons, but they seem too close together to be for nursing

-there are hip gussets that seem to have been taken in at a later period

[Elizabeth]

Unless it's been entirely re-shaped over the years, I'd not put it in the 1840-1865 era. The extreme dip at the front it odd for mid-century.

[Marta Vincent]

Agreed.  Also, mid century corsets were generally described as "lightly boned" and that one has the rigid controlling boning typical of the later part of the century and into the early 20th.

Kay and I just took a tour of the collections at the Phila Museum of Art and Shippenburg (PA) Univ, and Kay had especially asked for corsets; so we saw out share of those.

Kay is working on documenting the earlier 19th century styles that were still made at home or by a seamstress rather than those (like this example) that were mass produced and sold in stores. Unfortunately, those rarely show up in Museum collections.

[Maggie Koenig]

The front dip would also fit in more with the later style dresses that have the flat fronted skirts and hence, need a bit more control over the lower abdomen.