Carlton first noted this box in his 2006 National write up:
http://www.sportsantiques101.com/06natpage3.htm
Search "Music Box" in Hunts completed auctions and you will see a few (or the same one sold multiple times). Hunts attributed it to the 1920s. SCP and Lengendary implied or stated Turn of Century.
Seems the key is knowing it is a Fred Zimbalist piece, which would put it in the 40s/50s. In the absence of that knowledge, any earlier guess on age seems understandable. However....this group (Jim in particular) could immediatelly date this to the 40s while SCP and Legendary couldn't do some basic homework?
Is it possible not all these are Zimbalist? the Ebay one doesn't have a sticker, so how did that seller know it was Zimbalist, or are they just assuming? (the Thorens pamphlet does look 40s/50s).
Either way absolutely gorgeous piece, (wish I saw it on ebay), but seems $3-5K is more in line than $15-30K.