Thanks to Timo Nieminen and Iain for their informative comments. I think they are probably on the right track. Upon a very close examination of the "sandwich" area, I can just make out three iron rivets, which are smooth with the flat surface of the plates, and cannot be seen on the images.
The only references to these swords I can find, is the book by District Commissioner T J Alldridge "The Sherbro and its Hinterland", 1901 Here are a few relevant extracts.
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