Customer Testimonials

“I found working with Nigel very rewarding. In explaining to readers the problems fighting men faced on an English Civil War battlefield I had to find a non-technical, highly practical but also an entertaining approach. The logistics underlying the opposing armies’ operations were intimately linked with arms manufacture, and the design of helmets and armour was governed by the real requirements of active service. The professionalism, knowledge and enthusiasm Nigel brought to clarifying the problems and demonstrating the solutions led to picture and caption sequences that are as interesting as they are informative. I am in his debt.”
Martin F. Marix Evans , Military Historian & Author  Chairman of the Naseby Battlefield Project

“To call Nigel’s work reproduction armour would be accurate, but would miss the point however. His pieces are truly works of art, and Nigel’s encyclopaedic knowledge of his craft is manifest in his work”.
Jeremy Wilton, The Four Shires Magazine

“It’s nice to see that craftsman still reside in the UK instead of just importers. Your work is really very nice indeed. Alistair at Madregal designs told me about your work and I felt I had to congratulate you”.
Dave Hewitt , White Rose Armoury

” I never expected the helmet to look so original… it could have been made in 1645 and then bubble wrapped until 2006, I can’t tell you how impressed I am!”
Matt Perry,   Private collector

“This is truly remarkable, the detail and skill to create something so intricate and small is astounding… Well done you!”
Andrew Norman,   Rockingham Castle

“We should have 25 sets of the movie armour ready for next week, which is something we wouldn’t have been able to do without your help. Thank you again for loaning us your armour”.
Grant Pearmain,   FBFX  Ltd

“Thank you again for all of your efforts on our behalf. The armour looks fantastic in the exhibition… I am sure you will agree, it was all worth it!”
Diana Morley,   Imperial War Museum London

“I greatly enjoyed visiting you at your workshop yesterday. I find the whole business of armour construction fascinating so it was a real pleasure to see a true craftsman at work”.
John Kliene ,  Photographer for Osprey publishing

“It's a really magnificent piece of work and a real coup to have it on display at such a terrific exhibition. Well done”.
Dave Allen ,  Private collector

“A fantastic restoration… I am looking but I can’t tell”.
Dave Allen,   Private collector 

“We think this commission will be an investment”.
Bob & Gloria Long ,    Private collectors

“Your work is top quality design, craftsmanship and attention to detail!”
Bob Souter,   Private collector

“Fantastic! Thanks for taking the time to make this for me”.
Michele Walker,   Private collector

“Great work, finished to a very high standard”.
Eric Slyter,   The Arador Armour Library 

“I tried making some armour myself, but I was unable to pass a certain level. But your work looks authentic”.
Thomas Hille,   Private collector

“I had the pleasure of stopping by The Imperial War Museum before I returned to Canada to examine your suit of Polish cavalry armour, and I must say, it was stunning. The detail that you put into it and the quality of the dishing were exceptional. I hope one day to be able to wield such skill”.
Jozef Winter,  Master Blacksmith 

“Thank you for giving such a fascinating and enjoyable talk last week. Your knowledge of your subject and your enthusiasm were infectious”.
Derek Cummings,  Brampton Discussion Group 

“You are the most excellent artist with profound knowledge and skills, I am so excited to have found you”.
Tazio Kimura,  Private collector

“Nigel Carren is one of the finest armourers working in the UK. Creating authentic armour and miniatures. If you’re interested in history and armour check out his site”.
Movie-Armour.com

Anything at all can be recreated, it’s all quite simply down to time, and therefore ultimately your budget. All I need are a few clues re; period, style and finish and whether the piece is for wear or display, and I will happily do the rest, and trawl through my extensive library and provide images of exactly what it is I think you are aiming for, and as the famous quote by King Maximillian I to his armourer (below) clearly illustrates, I am at your disposal.

“Arm me according to my own wishes, for it is I not you who will take part in the tournament!”
King Maximillian I  to court armourer Conrad Seusenhofer 1504

My method statement is best illustrated by a quote by the greatest writer on the subject:

“For the study of ancient armour to be successfully pursued, it is of primary importance that a careful examination be made of every existing specimen within our reach… Every rivet-hole and rivet in a piece must be studied, and its use and object thought out”.
Charles Ffoulkes  1909