In 1941, two higher grades of the Knight's Cross were instituted. The enactment  of 28 September 1941 introduced the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords () and the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds (). At the end of 1944 the final grade, the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Golden Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds (), based on the enactment  of 29 December 1944, became the final variant of the Knight's Cross authorized.
In 1941, two additional ranks were added to the Knight's Cross. The September 28, 1941 decree introduced the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords (()) and the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords and Diamonds (()). By December 29, 1944, the final rank, the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Golden Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds (()), based on the December 29, 1944 decree, became the authorized version.