Lagopus;
I recall reading an article that sounds just like the one you mention, probably the same one. I believe it was in an old Gun Digest. I thought the same way as you did, WHY would someone get an extra light 2" gun & then want to load it with 1 1/8oz loads. He could most likely found an equal quality 2˝" gun for less money & would have had the proper gun for the load he thought he had to have.
That's the reason I don't want a 28ga shooting 1oz loads. If I want to shoot 1oz I can always use a 16 or even a 20. If I'm going to have a 28 I want it too light for comfort with an ounce, otherwise no point in dropping down to the small bore.
Same thing with the 2" 12.
