Was likely a “single use” link - they lock closed and need a tool to remove. As I understand it, the only difference between these and reusable links is the tiny metal nubs that lock the link closed. File these down and, hey presto, you have a reusable link. My past batch of SRAM 10sp chains had single use links. After they had their single use I replaced them with Connexs. This might be the way things are going, as my previous batch of the same chain model all contained reusable links. Why sell you a reusable link when they can force you to continue buying new single-use links?
Last edited by Litespud; 06-28-19 at 06:35 AM.