You're right.... she's a keeper! Great story...
I can't remember too much about the electrical/gear system on the 182RG we
used to fly... does the gear down limit switch turn off the pump? if that
switch is out of position or bad and the pump continues to run, is there an
over pressure bypass? wondering why the amp meter was pegged... stuck
bypass valve? where is the throttle/gear horn switch?

Glad you made it down ok and saved that new prop!

Jim