This is not an expensive firearm and any value over a run of the mill 336 would be to a Marlin collector. Used and in great shape,( no marks on the stock, bluing 100% and the gun in unfried condition) the gun might go as high as $300.
On line.
Your best bet may be to check through the firearm auction websites. Firearms sold through on-line auctions must be shipped to a dealer in your home state, where you would complete the same processes as if buying the gun from that dealer. While there are other local sites, perhaps the 3 largest such sites are gunbroker, gunauction, and gunsamerica.
First you need to remove the stock, then behind the bolt is a plastic piece. There is a metal lever you pull down on it, after you pull it down pull the piece back while holding the lever. After the piece is removed open the bolt and pull it back.
20 USD or so
I believe you have a Mossberg model 400 Palomino. It a .22 lever action tubular magazine walnut stock made 1959-64.. Around $100 in good condition.
About $600 unless in REALLY GOOD original condition with only light marks on the stock.
Lever action, blued steel, wood stock, most likely chambered in 30/30
Remove the large screw visible in the top tang behind the hammer. Bump the stock off to the rear using the heel of your hand against the comb of the stock. sales@countrygunsmith.net
Check the auction sites or find a copy of the Blue Book of Gun Values.
What is your question?
what is the history om lever toys
Look at the underside of the rifle, it will probably be stamped into the action up by where it meets the wooden fore stock. If it's not there, look at the metal tang that attaches the shoulder stock to the action. The number may be etched into that strip just behind the lever.