History:
In 1908 Robar produced a small automatic pistol for the trading company "Jannsen Fils et Co" following a patent of Rosier, which this trading company bought.
The gun was sold with the protected trade name "Jieffeco" ("JI" for Janssen, "EFF" for "Fils", "E" for "et" und "CO" for "Co") under the rights of Jannsen Fils et Cie. But, while Jannsen got the exclusive rights for the name, it seems that they did not have the exclusive right of the patent of Rosier, as Robar produced and sold the same pistol with the name "Melior" at the same time.
They were put an the market in caliber 6,35 und 7,65 mm at the same time as the "Jieffeco", and seems that these two pistols were made for separate markets, where the "Melior" was not exported to countries, where the "Jieffeco" was sold, and vice versa.
As later on some more types with name "Melior" were produced, this model was named "Old Model" or "Model 1908" genannt
The production ended with the start of World War I, and there are no reports about the amount produced.
Remark: In the USA sometimes identical pistols with markings "Phoenix" and manufacturer "Phoenix Arms" show up. It is estimated, that in the early 1920ties remaining parts of these pistols have been exported to the USA and have been assembled there.
SYSTEM: self-cocking pistol with mass system and firing pin
CARTRIDGES : 6
CALIBRE : .25 ACP
BARREL LENGTH : 55 mm , 6 grooves right hand twisting
WEIGHT EMPTY : 350 g
TOTAL LENGTH : 116 mm
TOTAL HEIGHT : 90 mm
TOTAL WIDTH : 22 mm
TRIGGER : Single Action
SIGHT : fix
SAFETY : safety-lever
FINISH : blued
GRIPS : hard rubber