Ritterkreuz, Goldener Eichenlaub mit Schwertern und Brillanten

The "Goldenes Eichenlaub mit Schwertern und Brillanten zum Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes" (Golden Oak Leaves with Swords and Diamonds to the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross) was instituted by Adolf Hitler on December 29th, 1944; the decree was published in the "Reichsgesetzblatt" (State Law Bulletin) Nr. 1, 1945 on page 11. On this amendment of the requirements of the Order of the Iron Cross, this version was interposed between the existing "Eichenlaub mit Schwertern und Brillanten zum Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes" (Oak Leaves with Swords and Diamonds to the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross) and the "Großkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes" (Grand Cross of the Iron Cross).
Article 2, paragraph 3 read as follows: "Das Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit dem Goldenen Eichenlaub mit Schwertern und Brillanten wird nur zwölfmal verliehen, um höchstbewährte Einzelkämpfer, die mit allen Stufen des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes ausgezeichnet sind, vor dem Deutschen Volke besonders zu ehren." (The Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross with Golden Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds shall be awarded to twelve persons only, to honor on behalf of the German people in particular those individual soldiers who have been awarded all classes of the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross). It was hereby stipulated that only twelve individuals would be eligible for this decoration. On the day it was instituted, only one person, Hans-Ulrich Rudel would be awarded this decoration.
The Golden Oak Leaves with Swords and Diamonds to the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross was, just like the Oak Leaves with Swords and Diamonds to the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross more oblong than the Oak Leaves of the lower class. The medal was made of 18 carat gold, set wih diamonds.
Two standard versions were produced and presented; an official medal (A-version), presented at the awarding itself and a version for daily use (B-version), made of gold of a lower carat, the diamonds being replaced by sapphires.
Up to the present day, only three specimens of the Golden Oak Leaves with Swords and Diamonds to the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross are known to have been presented:
1) An A-version (see picture) made of 18 carat gold, produced by Otto Klein & Co from Hanau set with 58 diamonds and measuring 0.88" by 1.27". It is 1.1" long.
2) A B-version, also produced by Otto Klein & Co, made of 14 carat gold and set with 65 sapphires.
3) The specimen that was presented to Hans-Ulrich Rudel.