Topperwein, Elizabeth "Plinky" (c. 1886–1945)
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.
More From encyclopedia.com
About this article
Topperwein, Elizabeth "Plinky" (c. 1886–1945)
You Might Also Like
NEARBY TERMS
Topperwein, Elizabeth "Plinky" (c. 1886–1945)