By accident, I found that a 1/2 frame is nothing more than a 1 frame with a narrowed front end to accept a 0 frame forend. 1/2 frame barrels are 1 frame barrels according to Parker Brothers blueprints. The 1/2 frame, contrary to popular thought, is not a Remington invention. The original blueprints of the 1/2 frame are dated years prior to the Remington takeover, 1930 as I recall. After looking at the blueprints, which state "Use #1 frame barrels", I took a pair of 16 gauge #1 frame barrels and clicked them on a 1/2 frame back end and I've been shooting it ever since. The 1 frame forend would not work, but I happened to have a 1/2 frame forend, and it clicked on. A 0 frame forend will click on too. This gun is a lighty with a 00 size stock. As Researcher suggests, maybe Parker Brothers had a surplus of #1 frames and #0 forends in the parts bin and few orders for 16 and 20 gauge guns and decided to figure out how to use both on 12 gauge guns. I can think of no better scenario.
