Dispenser would simply dispense armor like it would in previous versions of Minecraft, pooping it onto the floor for me to pick up. This could just be an issue with the individual server, but that seems unlikely.
Linked issues
Comments 3
I have figured out the issue. The server is running a 'fake' version of 1.5. I am able to craft none of the items in 1.5, and it also makes sense because this server had all of the bukkit plugins the day 1.5 came out. Feel free to delete this post or whatever. It was odd that the server didn't state that it was running a false version of 1.5 compatible with 1.4.7 =/
Duplicate of MC-11747.
What plugins has the server running?