A man wearing a medieval-style helmet and chainmail armor, seen in profile.

We make armour

Whilst often seen clad head to toe in armour, what makes us unique is that we make it too! Our founder Mark Taylor started off making arms and armour over 30 years ago..

Interested in owning your own harness? A new helmet? Or even just neatening up and restoring your current equipment? Then we would love to help.

A graphic design with a red, stylized head of a soldier wearing a helmet, and the text 'Dressed to Kill' in black gothic font.

Our history

  • 1992

    ‘Dressed to Kill arms and armour’, founded by Mark, starts trading.

  • 1994

    The Warwick ‘Kingmaker’ exhibition opens, starting our long association with Warwick Castle.

  • 2000

    Mark and Colin perform the ‘fighting knights’ show at Warwick Castle.

  • 2010

    The ‘Warwick Warriors’ show is devised and first performed.

  • 2015

    Our ‘Tournament’ show is booked by Cardiff Castle.

  • 2017

    English Heritage book our ‘Tournament’ show for multiple venues and dates.

Mark Taylor

Starting off making armour in his back garden during his teens Mark quickly found a passion for studying the process of making and maintaining armour. With a long back ground in re-enactment his interest blossomed and skill quickly increased. After battling through a serious illness he decided to ‘Go for it’ and turn his life long interest into a living.

Mark has been associated with many prestigious locations, not least, Warwick castle where he has spent the last 30 years, first as an armorer making armour and maintaining their collection. Then also providing unique fighting knights shows and team building experiences for the last 25 years.

Whilst rare to see him with a sword in his hand he is the man behind the team that is ‘The Warwick Warriors’ making sure our facts are correct, our armour is intact and swords remain sharp!

A middle-aged man with glasses, shoulder-length hair, wearing a black hoodie with a white outline of a face and the words "DRESSED TO KILL" on it, stands outdoors with tents in the background.

Restoration

Making historically accurate armour is tough. Keeping it clean and unblemished is tougher!

We can help! Whether it’s your own personal reenactment kit or you are in charge of a collection in need of some care then we are the team for you. We’ve restored armour over 500 years old in some cases, for notable collections as Stratford Armouries, Warwick Castle and Hampton Court Palace!

Contact us for more information.

  • Comparison of two suits of medieval-style armor, with the left armor appearing rusty and aged, and the right armor looking polished and well-maintained.
  • Two people cleaning or restoring medieval suits of armor and weapons in a museum or historical display room. The display includes full suits of armor, a sword, and a shield mounted on a wooden wall.
  • Three people and a suit of armor in a workshop. The person in the armor is holding a sword and wearing a helmet. The two others are standing beside, smiling at the camera, one on each side.
  • Two workers on a scaffold inspecting and maintaining an array of medieval weapons, such as swords and spears, mounted on a wall inside a building.

Don’t take our word for it…

Have a look at some of our latest creations.