Topperwein, Elizabeth "Plinky" (c. 1886–1945)

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Topperwein, Elizabeth "Plinky" (c. 1886–1945)

American sharpshooter. Name variations: Mrs. Ad; Auntie Plinky Topperwein. Born Elizabeth Servanty, c. 1886, possibly in CT; died Jan 15, 1945, in San Antonio, TX; m. Adolph "Ad" Topperwein (sharpshooter), c. 1904 (died 1962); children: 1 son.

Was the 1st woman to break 100 straight traps (1904), and repeated that feat 200 times; broke 200 straight 14 times; in contest of endurance, broke 1,952 of 2,000 targets (an average of 98%) in 5 hrs. 20 min. (1916) with no rest (though the heat of the gun blistered her hand she still broke 98 of the last 100); appeared on the vaudeville circuit with her husband (1930s). Inducted into the National Trapshooting Hall of Fame (1969). Annie Oakley thought her the greatest female sharpshooter of all time.

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