Abstract: A mechanical connection arrangement for two polarization-maintaining optical fibers (20--20) includes two ferrules (40--40). Each of the optical fibers to be connected includes an outer cladding layer (23) having a hybrid cross section transverse to a longitudinal axis of the fiber. The hybrid cross section is defined by two parallel sides and by two generally arcuate end portions. One of the polarization axes of the fiber is parallel to the parallel sides of the fiber. The ferrules were adjacent portions in a length (110) of stock material and are positioned in support means such that end faces of the ferrules which were contiguous to each other prior to the ferrules being separated from the length of material are adjacent to each other in the connection arrangement. Each ferrule prior to separation has a tab (126) associated therewith such that the tab of the adjacent portions are aligned longitudinally.